Sri Lankan apparel manufacturer discusses expansion plans as Egypt strengthens its position in global textile and garment supply chains
Sri Lanka’s Hirdaramani Group is exploring plans to expand its textile and apparel manufacturing operations in Egypt, positioning the country as a regional production base and export platform serving international markets.
The expansion was discussed during a meeting between Sid Hirdaramani, Director of Hirdaramani Group, and Mohamed Awad, Chief Executive Officer of Egypt’s General Authority for Investment and Free Zones (GAFI), at the authority’s headquarters.
According to GAFI, Hirdaramani intends to benefit from Egypt’s competitive manufacturing advantages, improving investment climate and strategic access to major markets as it expands its international production network.
Egypt considered a strategic export platform
During the meeting, Hirdaramani described Egypt as a strategic platform for expanding the group’s manufacturing activities and exports to global markets.
The company is expected to rely on the incentives and investment facilitation measures offered by the Egyptian government to textile and apparel investors. However, Hirdaramani has not yet disclosed details concerning the size, location, value or implementation schedule of its proposed investment.
Both parties agreed to maintain close coordination and explore investment opportunities that could support the group’s expansion while increasing foreign direct investment, employment and Egyptian exports.
GAFI CEO Mohamed Awad confirmed that the authority would provide the necessary support to facilitate the implementation of Hirdaramani’s investment plans.
“We aim to attract more export-oriented industrial investments and further integrate Egypt into global supply chains,” Awad said.
He added that attracting major international manufacturers forms an important part of Egypt’s strategy to increase exports, deepen local production and consolidate the country’s position as a regional manufacturing hub.
Hirdaramani operates more than 30 manufacturing facilities
Founded in 1890, Hirdaramani Group is a family-owned Sri Lankan company providing end-to-end apparel manufacturing and design solutions to international fashion brands.
The group currently operates more than 30 textile and apparel manufacturing facilities across several countries and employs over 55,000 people. Its annual revenue is estimated at approximately $1.2 billion.
According to information released by GAFI, Hirdaramani produces between 12 million and 18.4 million garments per month for export to international markets.
In addition to textiles and apparel, the diversified group has expanded into renewable energy, information technology, retail and leisure development.
Hirdaramani’s interest in Egypt reflects a broader shift among international apparel manufacturers seeking competitive and strategically located production bases closer to major consumer markets.
Egypt’s garment exports maintain strong growth
The proposed expansion comes as Egypt’s ready-made garment industry continues to record strong export growth.
Egyptian ready-made garment exports increased by 15% year on year during the first four months of 2026, reaching $1.15 billion compared with $1.002 billion during the corresponding period of 2025.
For the full year 2025, the country’s garment exports rose by 20% to $3.394 billion, up from $2.846 billion in the previous year.
These figures reinforce Egypt’s growing importance as a textile and garment manufacturing location linking Africa, the Middle East, Europe and other global markets.
The country offers a combination of labour availability, textile manufacturing experience, government incentives, trade access and proximity to important shipping routes.
Building a stronger local textile supply chain
GAFI said it is working to attract international companies operating in export-oriented industries, particularly textiles and ready-made garments, as part of efforts to integrate Egypt more deeply into global supply chains.
The authority also aims to support the development of local feeder industries and establish a network of Egyptian suppliers capable of providing production inputs according to international quality standards.
Increasing local sourcing could help manufacturers reduce production costs, shorten lead times and improve the international competitiveness of Egyptian-made textile and apparel products.
The strategy is consistent with Egypt’s National Industrial Strategy, which seeks to deepen domestic manufacturing, increase value-added production and transform the country into a regional production and export hub.
International textile investment accelerates in Egypt
Egypt’s textile and apparel industry has recently attracted investment commitments from companies based in China, Hong Kong and Türkiye.
A significant share of these projects is being developed within industrial and economic zones, particularly the Suez Canal Economic Zone and Qantara West Industrial Zone.
These investments demonstrate growing international interest in Egypt as companies diversify their sourcing and manufacturing networks, reduce supply chain risks and move production closer to key export destinations.
If implemented, Hirdaramani’s expansion could further strengthen Egypt’s apparel manufacturing capacity, create employment opportunities and support the country’s ambition to become a more influential supplier to global fashion markets.
