In celebration of the 70th anniversary of development cooperation between Egypt and Japan, Dr. Rania Al-Mashat, Minister of Planning and Economic Development, participated in a ceremony organized by the Japanese Embassy in Cairo, in collaboration with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), held at the Egyptian Opera House. The event was attended by several prominent figures, including Fayza Aboul Naga, Advisor to the President of Egypt for National Security Affairs, Japanese Ambassador to Egypt Eiwei Fumio, and JICA’s Chief Representative in Egypt Kato Ken.
Japan’s Contribution to Sustainable Development in Egypt
In her speech, Dr. Al-Mashat emphasized that Egypt-Japan cooperation has evolved into a model of international relations, founded on mutual respect and a shared vision for sustainable development. She highlighted that bilateral relations have made significant strides, further strengthened by high-level visits between the two countries, elevating their cooperation to a strategic partnership.
The minister mentioned that her ministry has consistently worked to solidify and expand this partnership. She also referred to her recent visit to Japan in December 2024, which led to the signing of three key memorandums of understanding, including one for financing policies related to economic inclusion and green growth, valued at $230 million. Other agreements included a $1.2 million grant for the development of the Egyptian Opera House and a $3.2 million grant for economic and social development in the agricultural sector.
Key Collaborative Projects
Dr. Al-Mashat noted that the partnership between Egypt and Japan has resulted in several prominent projects, including the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM), the Egyptian-Japanese University of Science and Technology (E-JUST), and the comprehensive health insurance project. Additionally, the collaboration has led to successful initiatives in the transport sector, including the first phase of Cairo’s Metro Line 4.
She also highlighted the ongoing collaboration in human capital development, emphasizing the importance of education and vocational training. The Egypt-Japan Education Partnership (EJEP) has become a cornerstone of Egypt’s education system modernization efforts, with innovative educational methods inspired by Japan now being implemented in Egyptian-Japanese schools and government-run schools in the “Haya Karima” initiative. The network of Egyptian-Japanese schools has expanded to include 1,700 schools across the country.
Empowering the Private Sector and Supporting Renewable Energy
The minister also stressed that empowering the private sector is a priority in the Egypt-Japan partnership, with a focus on enhancing financing mechanisms for companies, promoting industrial localization, and supporting digital entrepreneurship. She praised Japan’s active role in financing private sector projects, particularly in the renewable energy sector, such as the 500 MW solar power plant in Kom Ombo, Aswan, and the wind farm project in Ras Ghareb.
Artificial Intelligence and Innovation
In closing, Dr. Al-Mashat expressed her enthusiasm for the recent collaboration with JICA and various Egyptian ministries in leveraging Japan’s expertise in artificial intelligence (AI). She noted that this cooperation will be vital in advancing Egypt’s AI agenda, integrating it into different economic sectors, developing skills, and enhancing infrastructure.
She also shared her excitement about the upcoming announcement of the “Egypt-Japan Cooperation Strategy” and the publication of a report detailing the development cooperation portfolio between the two nations. Dr. Al-Mashat emphasized that this partnership will play a significant role in furthering Egypt’s sustainable development goals.
