Egypt Mourns the loss of leader of national industry Mohamed Farid Khamis
Egypt lost Mohamed Farid Khamis, a renowned national manufacturer, as the business tycoon passed away Saturday morning September 19, 2020 after a struggle with illness.
Khamis died in the United States of America after he underwent a precise surgery back in June, as his health conditions deteriorated since then.
Minister of Trade and Industry Niveen Gamaa mourned the late businessman saying that he is a prominent industry figure who supported and developed the Egyptian industry for a long period of time.
" The deceased set up remarkable industry projects, produced high quality products that were exported to all international markets and occupied prestigious posts such as head of Federation of Egyptian Industries, chairperson of Industry Committee at Shura Council, and lastly, chairman of the Egyptian Investors Federation," said she.
Also, Minister of Higher Education Dr. Khaled Abdel Ghaffar paid tribute to Khamis who chaired the board of trustees of the British University in Egypt. The minister extended his condolences to the deceased's family and all members of the British university and El-Shourok Institutes, praying for his soul to rest in peace.
The British University in Egypt expressed sadness over the death of its founder and chairman of its board of trustees, affirming that what he has done to Egypt during his lifetime is unforgettable.
The Egyptian Investors Federation mourned the business tycoon in a statement on Saturday, saying, "Egypt has lost a great patriotic figure, who spent his life serving this nation, loving every bit of its pure soil…the pioneer of Egyptian industry Mohamed Farid Khamis died after a struggle with disease. May God rest his soul in peace."
"The late businessman and head of the federation Mohmed Farid Khamis was an Egyptian manufacturer who believed that man is the cornerstone of nations' prosperity and progress and that knowledge and advanced scientific research are means to reach that end. He also underscored the social role that capitalists can play," added the statement.
Many designated him as Egypt's man of industry and founder of manufacturing in the country, likening him to Talaat Harb, the most respected industry figure in Egyptian modern history, according to the statement.
The deceased is married and has one son, Mohmed, and two daughters, Yasmine and Farida and three grandchildren, Omar, Malak and Usama.
Egyptian Businessmen Association wrote on its official facebook page:" The Egyptian Businessmen Association received the news of Mohmed Farid Khamis' death with sorrow and grief, as the deceased is a pioneering industry figure whose membership in the association dates back to more than 35 years during which he was keen to retain membership to the end of his life."
" In the name of the board of the association and all members and executive employees, we mourn the deceased and pay tribute to his outstanding legacy in serving the national economy and providing grand services in social life throughout his lifetime," the association added.
Al-Azhar Al-Sharif and the Grand Sheikh of Al-Azhar Dr. Ahmed El-Tayeb mourned the late industry figure.
Al-Azhar issued a statement designating Khamis as a prominent national industry figure, adding that Al-Azhar will never forget his lavish donations helping in building religious institutes in the underdeveloped remote villages.
“He was keen to support the poor and the needy through his social institutions,” read the statement.
The Coptic Orthodox Church, headed by Pope Tawadros 11, mourned the businessman Mohmed Khamis saying:" The Coptic Orthodox Church mourns the grand national economic figure businessman Mohmed Farid Khamis, head of the Egyptian Investors Federation and chairperson of board of Trustees of the British University in Egypt and founder of Oriental Weavers Company who extended great contributions to Egyptian national economy and took special interest in developing (the underdeveloped) Upper Egypt through setting up several developmental projects and charities."
" We wish to refresh memory about the social role he upheld via his social institution and support for places of worship and his contribution towards propagating the project of reviving the trail of the Holy Family in Egypt, through producing a number of splendid textile works that depicted the Entry of the Holy Family into Egypt. We extend our hearty condolences to family, loved ones and followers of the deceased."
Dr. Mamdouh Ghurab, governor of Sharkia province, also mourned the late man of industry saying:" Egypt lost a prestigious patriotic figure who spent all his life serving the country."
Mohmed Farid Khamis was born in 1940 and obtained a Bachelor of Commerce and M.A in industrial costs from Ein Shames University and, later, PH.D from British Loughborough University in 2008. He got the highest Belgium decoration and was ordained by the crown prince of Belgium (the king now).
Mr Khamis was founder and chairman of the Board of a group of companies: Oriental Weavers in Egypt and in the USA, Misr American Company for Carpets and Rugs (MAC), 10th of Ramadan Company for Spinning Industries, Safa Company for Polypropylene Yarn, Egyptian Fibers Company (EFCO), and Alwan Carpet Company for carpets and rugs.
"Osoul Misr" extends hearty condolences to family of the late businessman praying his soul to rest in peace.
