The textile industry plays a highly important role in the Egyptian economy. In 1982-83 the value of textile industry products amounted to $ 1, 773 million and was equivalent to about 25% of the country's total industrial production. The share of the private sector was about 26%. The textile industry employs more than half a million male and female workers representing almost 50% the total work force in Egyptian industry. The private sector's share is about 30% (180, 000 workers).