THE ROLE OF COTTON INDUSTRY IN INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT IN EGYPT (1960-1975).

摘要

This study is concerned with the role of cotton industry in industrial development of Egypt during the period 1960-1975. The analysis centered around the historical and comparative approaches to demonstrate the stages of development which occured in Egypt over a period of a century and a half turning the cotton industry into a successful experience. Also to evaluate the importance of cotton industry in the industrialization drive of the country during the years under study and the contribution of cotton industry to industrial production, investments, employment, and wages earned.; The first chapter is devoted to the introduction, objective, hypothesis, methodology, and reviewing the literature related to the subject. The second chapter identifies the historical role of cotton in the Egyptian economy. It was observed that cotton played a significant role in both agricultural and industrial development of Egypt as well as in foreign trade. The third chapter deals with the theoretical bases of the writer's study. The analysis centered around two main strategies; balanced vs. unbalanced growth, and industrialization vs. agricultural development. It was found that the Egyptian government adopted the balanced growth strategy with more emphasis on industrialization, without, however neglecting the agricultural sector. The fourth chapter depicts the industrial set-up of Egypt during the period 1960-1975, and examines the place of cotton industry in the set-up in the context of the two adopted strategies. The investigation starts out with the First Five-Year Plan 1960-1965, then followed an exposition of the next ten years 1966-1975 whose developmental strategies remained, in essence, the same. It was found that during 1960-1965 the textile industry played significant role in fostering industrial development. The analysis of the plan period indicates that the adopted strategies of balanced growth and industrialization by the Egyptian government were steps in the right direction.; In the 1966-75 period the analysis showed the same success until 1974 when a structural change in the economy took place due to the new open door policy adopted by the government with sharp increase in the production of synthetic fibres, and the rising cost of fertilizers which represent 25 percent of total cost of raw cotton.; The indicators of economic growth point to the success of the role of cotton industry in the industrialization drive of Egypt, although the actual rates of growth of the industrial sector fell short of expectation.; The conclusion notes that, had the strategies adopted by the Egyptian government in the period 1960-75, been adhered to properly, would have benefited both cotton industry and industrialization in Egypt. But because of the structural change in the Egyptian political and economic systems; from government controlled and planned economy to an open door economy, the role of the public sector and economic planning have been relaxed in favor of the private enterprise with detrimental effects to coordinated policy of industrial advance.