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Which industries are important to Alexandria’s economy?
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Alexandria
The mosque of Abū al-ʿAbbās al-Mursī, Alexandria, Egypt.
Alexandria serves as a vital economic hub for Egypt, with industry acting as the city's chief employment sector. The city and its surrounding areas account for approximately two-fifths of the nation's total industrial production.1
Key industries and economic activities include:
- Manufacturing: The city hosts a diverse range of production facilities, including petrochemicals, cement, asphalt, and paper mills.1
- Food Processing: This sector has historically been a significant component of the city's industrial base.12
- Energy and Refining: Alexandria is home to oil refineries, including the Middle East Oil Refinery (Midor), and has benefited from the discovery of offshore natural gas reserves.12
- Shipping and Warehousing: As a major port city, Alexandria is a center for maritime commerce, handling a significant portion of Egypt's foreign trade, including the export of oil, gas, and cotton.13
- Other Industries: The city also supports salt and tanning industries, limestone quarrying, and iron and steel production, particularly in the Al-Dukhaylah area.12
- Finance and Commerce: Alexandria remains an important center for banking and trade, supported by the presence of the stock exchange.12