Dr. Rania Al-Mashat Discusses with the Japanese Ambassador in Cairo the Implementation Plan for the Outcomes of Her Visit to Japan – Africa.com
Her Excellency Dr. Rania A. Al-Mashat, Minister of Planning, Economic Development and International Cooperation, held a meeting with the Ambassador of Japan in Cairo, IWAI Fumio, at the ministry headquarters in the New Administrative Capital. The meeting focused on discussing the implementation plan for the results and recommendations of the visit to Japan in December 2024, as well as exploring ways to strengthen bilateral cooperation between Egypt and Japan.
At the beginning of the meeting, Her Excellency Dr. Rania Mashat congratulated Ambassador Fumio Iwai on his assumption of the post of Ambassador of Japan to Egypt in November 2024.
During the meeting, Her Excellency Dr. Rania Mashat highlighted the depth of long-standing relations between Egypt and Japan, which have been elevated following the agreement between His Excellency President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi and former Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida to the level of strategic partnership, which he signed during his visit to Egypt in 2023. The agreement marks the culmination of a long history of development cooperation and a productive relationship between the two countries spanning nearly 70 years. His Excellency Dr. Mashat reiterated the Egyptian government’s appreciation for the partnership with Japan and the constructive and substantive cooperation in many strategic areas.
HE Minister Al-Mashat also mentioned her visit to Japan in December 2024, during which a number of important development project agreements were signed and financed in the form of grants and development financing, totaling $234 million. The funds are intended to support the budget, develop the private sector, improve the livelihoods of Egypt’s small farmers and develop the Egyptian Opera House.
His Excellency Dr. Al-Mashat highlighted the policy development plan to improve Egypt’s private sector and economic diversification, which aims to support the national budget, strengthen structural reforms, and promote private sector investment by encouraging competitiveness and improving the business environment.
HE Minister Mashat further explained that the Egyptian-Japanese cooperation portfolio includes numerous development projects that benefit transportation, cultural heritage, and sectors that promote investment in human capital, such as health, education, higher education, and technical education. These projects include: the first phase of Cairo Metro Line 4, the Grand Egyptian Museum, the Egyptian-Japanese School, the Egyptian-Japanese University of Science and Technology, the University Hospital for Children (Abu El-Reesh), the development of Borg El-Arab Airport, the New Day Lut construction of barrages and collaboration for comprehensive health insurance projects. Additionally, the collaboration supports infrastructure development and transition efforts to renewable energy, all of which contribute to inclusive and sustainable growth. These efforts are consistent with the Planning Ministry’s two main responsibilities: developing development strategies and strengthening international partnerships to support Egypt’s economic and development priorities.
His Excellency Dr. Mashat also reviewed the Egyptian government’s efforts to strengthen private sector participation in development, as well as the structural reforms being implemented to promote sustainable and inclusive growth. She pointed out that the structural reform matrix aims to achieve three key pillars: ensuring macroeconomic stability and resilience, improving competitiveness and the business environment, and promoting green transformation. In 2024, Egypt implemented 86 measures in the structural reform agenda to enhance the stability of the Egyptian economy and improve the business environment.
His Excellency Dr. Mashat affirmed the importance of the contribution of international development partners to the Egyptian government’s economic and structural reforms that strengthen the role of the private sector as a key actor in development and contribute to Egypt’s vision of inclusive and sustainable growth contribute.
The meeting also discussed how Egypt can benefit from Japan’s outstanding expertise in the field of artificial intelligence and work with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and Egyptian ministries to study the inclusion of artificial intelligence in projects implemented in partnership with Japan. The move aims to advance Egypt’s AI agenda, focusing on its incorporation into governance, application in various economic sectors, skills development and infrastructure enhancement.
In addition, the meeting also discussed strengthening cooperation with Japan in the field of education, especially the launch of the Japanese Technical Education Model (EJ-KOSEN) in some technical colleges under the Ministry of Education. The parties also discussed expanding the number of Egyptian-Japanese schools to include provinces covered by the “Haya Karima” initiative.
The Japanese ambassador highlighted the deep ties between Egypt and Japan, emphasizing Japan’s commitment to continuing constructive cooperation between the two countries at the economic and investment levels, serving mutual interests and supporting Egypt’s development efforts.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of the Egyptian Ministry of Planning, Economic Development and International Cooperation.
