In an exceptional episode of the program “Dhaifi,” the media personality Moataz Al-Demerdash conducted a special interview with the industrialist and Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, MP Mohamed Abou El-Enein, in which he revealed for the first time important milestones in his professional journey and beginnings, as well as the challenges he faced until he became one of the most prominent businessmen in Egypt.
The interview also covered the secrets of Abou El-Enein’s diverse investments and his success in multiple fields, as well as highlighting a human and personal side of his life, especially his unusual hobby of flying airplanes, which aroused the curiosity of many.
I am from a middle-income Egyptian family.. MP Mohamed Abou El-Enein reveals his journey from scratch
MP Mohamed Abou El-Enein, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, said that his journey to success was not paved with roses and did not start from the top.
Abou El-Enein added, during the program “Dhaifi” presented by Moataz Al-Demerdash: “I am from a middle-class Egyptian family; we did not own much. I inherited neither trade nor companies, and everything I started was from scratch, from almost nothing, and the real beginning was after graduating from university.”
He continued: “I decided to rely on myself, and I chose Port Said as a starting point to establish ‘Ceramica Cleopatra.’ I started working in trade, and at that time I focused on ceramics, even though people did not yet understand what ceramics meant, and marketing it was very difficult. I used to move samples from place to place and went around Faggala with them.”
Abou El-Enein explained the challenges he faced in convincing traders about the new goods, saying: “I used to distribute the samples, and I always heard responses like: Let’s see. I remember once a trader took goods from me and left them for 6 months without moving them. When I called him, he simply told me: Leave them, and a simple plumber came and told me: Mr. Mohamed, I have two shops in Shubra, I can give you one to display half.”
He described the shop saying: “It was half above ground and half below, but I decided to bet on the idea. I brought an Italian technician, and we installed the ceramics in 15 days, worked on lighting and glass, and opened in the evening at sunset.”
Abou El-Enein added: “The opening was a surprise to people. People were amazed, and everyone came to watch. Then the shop owner came to me and said: Mohamed, don’t leave me; I will take everything you have and pay you all your money tomorrow.”
He concluded his talk saying: “It’s not just about the product; it’s about teaching people what correct composition means, what aesthetics in finishing means, not just tiles.”
From the heart of the desert to the global stage.. Abou El-Enein narrates the behind-the-scenes of establishing “Ceramica Cleopatra” and how it became an industrial brand
MP Mohamed Abou El-Enein, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, narrated the behind-the-scenes of establishing the first factory of the “Ceramica Cleopatra” group.
He revealed a funny incident in the early days of establishing the first factories of the group in 10th of Ramadan City, emphasizing that the dream started from “nothing.”
Abou El-Enein said that he invited a foreign partner at the beginning of the project, even though he did not have enough experience in the ceramics industry at the time, and took him to a piece of land in a desert area, saying: “Here is the land… here we will build a factory.”
He added that the foreign partner initially thought he was crazy due to the absence of any signs of development or infrastructure in the area, but he eventually agreed, and that factory became the nucleus for 50 other factories later, turning into a major industrial group.
He emphasized that he did not sleep at night to complete his first factory, noting that he went out to the exhibition where a man used to send him a message of peace every time. But this time he found him inside the exhibition, went to him, and said: “Mr. Mohamed, I want a favor from you.” He said: “I have 80,000 pounds; can you invest it for me?” I told him, “I don’t invest money directly, but I will do something to earn you profit, not just handle the money. I will consider it as if I sold you a batch of bathtubs; here it is, and the profit is yours, whatever comes out within 20–30%.” He said: “I trust you.” Pointing out that the trust placed in him helped him continue his industrial dream.
The Deputy Speaker confirmed that faith in the idea and determination to achieve it were the real motivators behind the project’s success, noting that industry today has become the global first trend for development.
Industry is the global trend.. Cleopatra has become an official destination
Abou El-Enein explained that Cleopatra is no longer just a group of factories but has become an official destination visited by heads of state.
He added that former President Mohamed Hosni Mubarak used to take foreign guests to see the factories as a symbol of industrial development in Egypt.
Abou El-Enein confirmed that ceramic production is considered a fine art, and every piece is an artistic masterpiece carrying thought and culture.
He stated: “Ceramics are not just a construction material but an artistic masterpiece,” considering that design itself is an industry based on thought and aesthetic vision.
He added that the Cleopatra factory has become a school from which many industrial competencies graduated, and that 60% of production is distributed in the local market, while the rest is exported abroad. There are many markets in Africa, Asia, and Europe, as well as exports to Japan. We did railway stations in Tokyo, airports in Osaka, and many projects in Osaka and Tokyo, and our porcelain is requested abroad, especially in Japan by name.
MP Mohamed Abou El-Enein on the secret of workers’ loyalty: Loyalty is nurtured.. We do not abandon any individual
MP Mohamed Abou El-Enein revealed the philosophy his institution follows in dealing with workers, emphasizing that the secret of true worker loyalty does not happen by chance but is a direct result of justice and continuous care for the worker’s life inside and outside work.
Loyalty cannot be imposed.. It is nurtured
Abou El-Enein said: “You must nurture loyalty in your worker. While nurturing loyalty, give him his full rights, provide him with real healthcare services he can enjoy, and support him on every occasion and every difficult circumstance he goes through.”
The MP confirmed that support does not stop at the worker himself but extends to his family even after his death, saying: “We have people receiving pensions other than social insurance, and this continues until the worker’s children graduate from university. We do not abandon anyone.”
Real security: The worker knows someone is behind him
Abou El-Enein concluded: “Every worker knows that there is someone behind him supporting him. This is not just an institution; it is a big family, and everyone has value and position.”
MP Mohamed Abou El-Enein: Management starts with discipline.. Every worker must know his duties and rights
He also emphasized that real management starts with time management and discipline, stressing the importance of every individual in the work system knowing what is required of them, what they will be held accountable for, and that this should be part of a comprehensive system followed by the institution.
Abou El-Enein said: “Every worker must know what he will be questioned about and prepare himself because he will be evaluated based on his work and held accountable for it. There must be a clear system; the worker knows it, the manager knows it, and the factory director too.”
He added: “Every individual has a target, and his colleague follows up, and in the end, what matters to me are the results I get.”
From ceramics to petroleum.. MP Mohamed Abou El-Enein reveals the behind-the-scenes of Cleopatra’s investment in the petroleum sector
The Deputy Speaker pointed to his move towards establishing a company working in the petroleum sector inside and outside Egypt, confirming that evaluations are currently being conducted for a number of wells and oil fields.
He explained that diversifying national income sources and relying on an active and diversified economy is the way to a promising industrial future in Egypt.
He confirmed that Cleopatra Holding Group is preparing to enter the petroleum sector, pointing out that Egypt’s mineral wealth represents a great treasure, and it is time to invest it optimally.
He explained that the group has submitted requests to invest in a number of oil fields, but so far, exploration has not started in any specific field, confirming that technical and economic studies are currently being conducted to evaluate several sites containing oil wells.
He added that Cleopatra Holding has established a specialized company to work in petroleum and energy, to carry out its activities inside and outside Egypt, pointing to promising investment opportunities abroad currently being discussed with international partners.
Investment diversification
The Deputy Speaker pointed out that investment diversification is one of the foundations that the group relies on in its future plans, as it contributes to achieving financial balance and allows compensating losses in case a project fails, through profits achieved from other activities.
MP Mohamed Abou El-Enein reveals behind-the-scenes of receiving the Best Industrialist Award in Africa
MP Mohamed Abou El-Enein said he was very happy to be honored as the Best Industrialist in Africa, confirming that the President of Ghana presented him with the award twice, once in Ghana and once in Egypt.
He explained that his name has achieved successes abroad, and the President of Ghana invited him to meet at the library about businessmen participating in the event, noting that his honoring as the best businessman is a tribute to Egyptian industry.
MP Mohamed Abou El-Enein: My dream is to see an industrial Egypt.. and I am happy when I see distinguished ideas
The Deputy Speaker continued that industry is the global “trend” today, and any advanced country today is asked whether it is an industrial country or not, confirming that technological developments and successive industrial revolutions are the added value, intellect, creativity, and thought.
Abou El-Enein continued: “I consider industry as creativity, added value, and art,” noting that today’s industry is not traditional but has turned into a technological industry that obtains raw material to produce a high-level final product.
He said: “The higher the quality and level, and the more innovations you add to the added value, the greater the profit, and this is the global trend. Today industrial companies profit, and when using advanced technology and artificial intelligence, it increases added value in a non-traditional and very high way.”
He emphasized his constant keenness to support Egyptian industry and provide new ideas and visions that contribute to driving economic development, expressing his hope that Egypt will occupy a leading position in various industrial and economic fields.
He added that industry is the hallmark of advanced countries and also represents creativity, added value, and art, noting that tourism and sports are an integral part of industry.
He explained that using modern technology and artificial intelligence in industry contributes to raising added value in a non-traditional and very high way, pointing out that ceramic production is a type of art.
The Deputy Speaker stressed that today’s industry was not traditional but has turned into a technological industry that obtains raw materials to achieve a high-level final product.
Abou El-Enein said that when a dream is realized, you see yourself in another position, explaining: “My dream is Egypt; my dream is to see an industrial Egypt, and that’s why when I see distinguished ideas and visions, I feel happy.”
He also confirmed that Egyptian beaches are unique and a good investment, and investment in tourism contributes to driving the economy in Egypt.
He pointed out that tourism is an industry, and sports are also an industry. When visiting Egyptian beaches in a unique location in the world and building a hotel for foreign tourists, this is a good investment.
He added that building a hotel involves 90 industries because everything related to raw materials, furnishings, and food products are all industries. When investing in something like this, the wheel of industry in Egypt turns, noting that recycling the entire system counts as an industry.
MP Mohamed Abou El-Enein: Representing the people is an honor and responsibility, and industry is the key to progress
MP Mohamed Abou El-Enein said: “I am honored to be a member of parliament; it is both a responsibility and an honor,” adding: “When the public chooses you, it is a sign of trust and a great responsibility. I am also honored to be an industrialist.”
Mediterranean Parliamentary Union elections
Regarding the elections of the Mediterranean Parliamentary Union, Abou El-Enein explained that the election was unanimous, covering 43 countries, noting that all 43 countries, including the European Union and the Mediterranean Basin, agreed, and no one objected.
I forget myself with them.. Abou El-Enein talks for the first time about his grandchildren Mansour and Tamer
MP Mohamed Abou El-Enein said that he feels extreme happiness when sitting with his grandchildren from his son Tarek, repeating: “I completely forget myself with Mansour and Tamer.”
He added: “I go back to childhood and pamper them and play with both of them, and they resemble me a lot,” noting that through his grandchildren he escapes the work atmosphere and its pressures and feels immense happiness with them, may God protect them.
Abou El-Enein’s hobby in flying airplanes
Abou El-Enein also said: “My hobby has always been flying, and my love for flying started long ago. I have flown with the most modern airplanes in the world, and I hold the highest international license, so I fly every year. Just the day before yesterday, I flew with my family to France and came back to Egypt again.”
He continued: “Flying is not difficult, but it is a science you learn,” pointing out that knowledge of aviation sciences is important to be qualified for flying and piloting the airplane. He explained that throughout his life he has taken exams and obtained the highest certificate in aviation.
Abou El-Enein reveals the truth about his photos in a luxury car in Europe
He also revealed the truth behind his photos riding a luxury car in Europe, saying: “I love fast cars, and this car has been with me for 20 years when the euro was only 8 pounds, and its price was reasonable at that time.”
Mohamed Abou El-Enein continued: “The car is a Bugatti, of which only 30 units exist in the world, making it rare, although there are cars much more expensive than it. But this car has value, which makes it attract photographers from all over the world to the extent that one of the videos exceeded 150 million views.”
Abou El-Enein: We have achieved in digital transformation and need a comprehensive change in the investment system to attract more investments
Regarding the investment file, Abou El-Enein explained that dealing with investors must be flexible and based on understanding human nature and their differences, noting that some individual actions may obstruct investment due to “different directions” or misjudgment, which annoys investors and negatively affects the investment climate.
He continued: “Digitalization has greatly facilitated dealings with the state, as administrative bodies used to have an impact in delaying some matters.”
“The golden license was an excellent solution, but we need more solutions,” he commented. “I want to see a real breakthrough, and investment should multiply tens of times.”
He confirmed that there are indeed efforts by the state to improve the investment climate in Egypt, but they are still limited in impact and their results modest.
He explained that the investment climate does not only depend on legislations or decisions but also on the human factor, saying: “We deal with humans; not all of them are active or keen to drive investment. Some people may have personal directions or interests that obstruct the investment path and may even repel investors, which is realistic and happens.”
Digital transformation
Abou El-Enein pointed to the importance of digital transformation in dealings with the state, describing it as a positive step that helps reduce the interference of administrative bodies with bureaucratic nature, which was one of the major challenges in the past periods.
Regarding the golden license, he said: “Talking about the golden license is part of the solution, but ambition should not stop there. I aspire for the entire system to turn into a comprehensive environment managed by the logic of the golden license, which means full liberation of the investment climate from any bureaucratic constraints or procedural obstacles.”
A major breakthrough in the business environment
The Deputy Speaker concluded his talk by emphasizing the need for a major breakthrough in the business environment, explaining that the volume of investments in Egypt is still limited, and said: “We need to multiply the current figures tens of times, and this can only be achieved through great ambition and radical reform of the system.”
