Yoshimasa reaffirmed Tokyo's commitment to deepen collaboration with Cairo.
This is Yoshimasa's inaugural official trip to Cairo, extending from Monday to Wednesday.
El-Sisi emphasized in the meeting Egypt's interest in strengthening cooperation with Japan, building upon the outcomes of the Japanese prime minister's visit to Egypt in April 2022. This was when the two nations elevated their relations to a strategic partnership, said Presidential Spokesperson Ahmed Fahmi.
Yoshimasa hailed Egypt's development efforts. These achievements have significantly boosted Japanese investments in Egypt within a short period, he said, stressing Japan's desire to continue and enhance this trajectory, Fahmi added.
Japanese investments in Egypt reached $73.7 million during FY2021/2022, up from $37.1 million the previous year, marking an increase of 98.7 per cent, according to recent figures from the Central Agency for Public Mobilization and Statistics.
Cooperation in education
El-Sisi emphasized Egypt's interest in benefiting from Japan's expertise in the education field and experience in developing human capabilities.
In 2016, during El-Sisi's visit to Japan, late Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe and El-Sisi released a joint statement on the Egyptian-Japanese partnership to foster cooperation in education across kindergarten, primary education, technical education, higher education, and scientific research.
The Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA) is responsible for implementing the projects falling under this educational partnership, including support for primary education through the "Tokatsu System" in Egyptian-Japanese schools.
Additionally, JICA supports technical skills development among Egyptian youth in collaboration with Japanese companies, aiming to provide competent graduates ready for the job market, according to JICA's website.
This involves guidance on personal and practical skill development at the teaching and school management levels, along with the establishment of work transfer units in pilot schools.
Furthermore, JICA enhances human resources development among Egyptian youth by increasing scholarship opportunities and scientific research programmes for Egyptians in Japan.
In 2010, the Egyptian-Japanese University for Science and Technology (E-JUST) was inaugurated, establishing itself as a leading university in the field of science and technology in Egypt and Africa.
GEM and tourism
The meeting also addressed various joint projects in energy, transportation, technology, and the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM).
In an interview with Ahram daily newspaper, Yoshimasa stated that Japan provided around JPY 84 billion (more than $570 million) for the GEM construction, which accounts for more than half of the construction cost, through the Japanese development loans programme.
During a press conference with Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry, Yoshimasa described the collaboration on the GEM as a new “symbol of cooperation” between the two countries.
The resumption by Egypt’s national carrier EgyptAir of direct flights between the two capitals on 14 September was a move that Shoukry said would “boost the Japanese tourist flow to Egypt.”
Regional issues
El-Sisi and Yoshimasa discussed international peace and security, notably the Russia-Ukraine crisis and its impact on the global economy, as well as energy and food crises.
They also tackled several regional issues of mutual interest and emphasized the importance of working towards a just and comprehensive solution to the Palestinian cause to achieve lasting peace in the region.
In this regard, El-Sisi reaffirmed Egypt's position regarding the establishment of an independent Palestinian state in accordance with international references, aiming to serve the interests of all the peoples of the region in terms of peace, security, and development.
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