Ministry of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation – Egypt
H.E. Dr. Rania A. Al-Mashat, Minister of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation, recently met with Japan’s Ambassador to Cairo, IWAI Fumio, at the ministry’s headquarters in the New Administrative Capital. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the executive plan for the outcomes and recommendations from H.E.’s visit to Japan in December 2024, as well as explore ways to enhance bilateral cooperation between Egypt and Japan.
Commencing the meeting, H.E. Dr. Rania Al-Mashat congratulated Ambassador IWAI Fumio on his recent appointment as Japan’s Ambassador to Egypt, a position he assumed in November 2024.
During the discussion, H.E. Dr. Rania Al-Mashat highlighted the longstanding Egyptian-Japanese relations, which have evolved into a strategic partnership following the agreement between H.E. President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and former Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida in 2023. This agreement signifies the culmination of nearly 70 years of fruitful relations between the two countries, with a focus on developmental cooperation. H.E. Dr. Al-Mashat expressed the Egyptian government’s gratitude for its partnership with Japan and the significant collaborations in various strategic sectors.
Referring to her visit to Japan in December 2024, H.E. Minister Al-Mashat mentioned the signing of essential agreements for developmental projects and funding amounting to $234 million. These funds are designated to support the budget, enhance the private sector, improve the livelihoods of small farmers in Egypt, and develop the Egyptian Opera House.
Moreover, H.E. Dr. Al-Mashat shed light on the Policy Development Program aimed at enhancing the Egyptian private sector and diversifying the economy. This program focuses on supporting the national budget, implementing structural reforms, and promoting private sector investments to boost competitiveness and improve the business environment.
The Egyptian-Japanese cooperation portfolio includes numerous developmental projects benefiting transportation, antiquities, and sectors promoting investment in human capital, such as health, education, higher education, and technical education. Projects such as the Cairo Metro’s Fourth Line, the Grand Egyptian Museum, Egyptian-Japanese schools, and the Egyptian-Japanese University of Science and Technology are among the initiatives supported by this collaboration.
Furthermore, H.E. Dr. Al-Mashat discussed the Egyptian government’s efforts to engage the private sector in development and implement structural reforms for sustainable and inclusive growth. She emphasized the importance of international development partners in supporting Egypt’s economic and structural reforms.
The meeting also addressed leveraging Japan’s expertise in artificial intelligence to advance Egypt’s AI agenda. Cooperation with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and various Egyptian ministries aims to integrate AI into projects for governance, economic sectors, skill development, and infrastructure enhancement.
Additionally, discussions revolved around enhancing cooperation in education, particularly through activating the Japanese Technical Education model at technical institutes under the Ministry of Education and expanding the number of Egyptian-Japanese schools to include more governorates under the “Haya Karima” initiative.
The Japanese Ambassador reiterated his country’s commitment to constructive cooperation with Egypt at economic and investment levels to support development efforts and serve shared interests.
In conclusion, the meeting underscored the strong bond between Egypt and Japan, highlighting the commitment to continued cooperation for mutual benefit and sustainable development.
This article was distributed by APO Group on behalf of the Ministry of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation – Egypt.
