Egyptian chemist, business tycoon, and industrialist Louis Bishara (1939 – 2023) passed away on 25 February in Cairo.
The Coptic Orthodox Church headed by Pope Tawadros II, issued a statement bidding Mr Bishara farewell on hope of the Resurrection.
“Throughout his 84-year-long life,” the statement said, “that great man’s substantial efforts and significant work influenced the lives of many people. His achievements contributed towards maintaining Egypt’s leading rank in the field of spinning and weaving, and he was the owner of the first Egyptian commercial brand in the garment industry. Additionally, he exerted commendable efforts in the field of technical and technological education.
“We offer sincere condolences to his family and friends, and to all who worked with him. We are confident that God will not forget his lifetime of love and dedication.”
Louis Shehata Youssef Bishara was a pioneer in the Egyptian textile and garment industry. He started off with a degree in Chemistry from Ain Shams University in 1959. He worked as a chemist at several private companies from 1959-1962, during which he established the Zeitoun Textile Hand Printing Company.
In the 1980s, Mr Bishara went into the textile industry. He was founder and chairman of the board of the first Egyptian menswear firm: Bishara Textile and Garment Manufacturing Company (BTM), established in 1981. The brand Marie Louis for women’s fashion was added to the group in 1988.
BTM later built an industrial technical institute, the “Amal Bishara High School”, which provided technical education grants to needy students.
Mr Bishara was a seasoned economy expert who, whenever approached, offered visionary answers to many predicaments. He was member of the Egyptian Businessmen Association; member of the New Urban Communities Development Association, the Spinning and Weaving Development Committee; and former president of the Rotary Club of Heliopolis in 1987.
Mr Bishara was awarded the Egyptian Merit Award, and the Scientists’ Syndicate Medal for Chemical Achievement in 1991.
Mr Bishara was a widower; he had been married to Amal Adly Gorgy. He leaves behind three daughters: Marie, Nelly, and Yasmine. Marie is head of the Egyptian garment export council.
Watani International
26 February 2023
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