Cairo Chamber Medical Supplies Division Targets 100% Localization, Coordinates with UPA on Supplier Dues and Repricing
The Medical Supplies Division at the Cairo Chamber of Commerce aims to raise the local manufacturing rate in the medical supplies sector to 100%, according to Division Head Mohamed Ismail Abdo. Currently, Egypt successfully manufactures between 60% and 65% of its medical consumables domestically, part of broader national efforts to localize healthcare manufacturing and curb dependency on imports.
Abdo described the Division's recent meeting with Dr. Hisham Stait, Chairman of the Egyptian Authority for Unified Procurement, Medical Supply and Technology Management (UPA), as "fruitful," resulting in strategic alignment across critical sector files—chief among them supplier financial dues and the repricing of medical supplies.
Resolving Supplier Arrears and Managing a EGP 110B Budget
According to Abdo, the UPA has made significant progress in clearing historical supplier dues, fulfilling commitments made since last December to substantially reduce or eliminate legacy debt over the past six to seven months. Meanwhile, current dues are being disbursed on schedule.
Abdo highlighted that the UPA’s allocated budget stands at approximately EGP 110 billion, underscoring the massive financial scale and operational importance of the centralized procurement body.
Sector Snapshot & Strategic Overview
The table below details the key developments, operational targets, and ongoing negotiations between the Division and the UPA:
Dimension / MetricDetails & Strategic Targets
Current Local Manufacturing Rate60% – 65% for medical consumables
Long-Term Localization Target100% domestic manufacturing for supplies and consumables
UPA Annual BudgetApproximately EGP 110 Billion
Key Issues Under Review
• Clearing legacy supplier arrears
• Establishing an emergency repricing committee
• Reviewing the legal basis of medical stamp duties
Institutional CounterpartsCairo Chamber of Commerce & Unified Procurement Authority (UPA)
Repricing Committee and Regulatory Collaboration
Following the conclusion of the previous state fiscal year on June 30, the Division submitted an exhaustive study to the UPA detailing product categories where suppliers incurred steep financial losses or operated under razor-thin profit margins due to global raw material inflation.
In response, Dr. Hisham Stait pledged to immediately form a joint committee to review the identified items and submit findings to the Ministry of Finance for formal price adjustments. Dr. Stait affirmed that the Division will remain an active partner in regulatory decision-making. Continuous coordination will be maintained between the Division’s Health Committee and the UPA’s Central Administration, led by Dr. Mary.
Localization Roadmap & Corporate Responsibility
Abdo distinguished between medical consumables and specialized medical equipment, noting that while high-tech medical devices present unique technical hurdles, Egypt has built significant domestic capacity in consumables. Achieving full domestic self-sufficiency remains essential to shielding the healthcare sector from global supply disruptions.
He also addressed the financial burdens on sector operators, stating that the Division is reviewing the legal framework governing medical stamp duties with relevant state authorities. Abdo concluded by emphasizing the social responsibility of healthcare businesses, stressing that commercial entities in the medical field must balance profitability with community support and national health security.