This was announced during Egypt's participation in Japan’s celebration of 70 years of development cooperation, which began with an Egyptian national joining a 1954 agricultural training programme and was followed by Japan providing grant aid in 1973 and yen loans in 1974.
Japan also introduced its KUSANONE Programme (Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects) in Egypt in 1994.
Budget support
The grants include $230 million (approximately 35 billion Japanese yen) for policy development to support private sector growth, economic diversification, and budget support.
This financing aligns with Egypt’s national efforts to mitigate the global economic impacts, support structural reforms, and encourage private sector investments. It also aims to improve the business environment, promote competition, foster economic diversification, and advance the green transition.
Rania Al-Mashat, Minister of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation, stressed that the policy development programme aims to enhance the national budget, boost structural reforms, and stimulate private sector investments through increased competitiveness and a better business environment. She also highlighted that concessional financing is an efficient mechanism for addressing the financing gap.

Al-Mashat pointed to the government’s key structural reforms, including establishing the Supreme Investment Council, cancelling tax exemptions for state-owned companies, and expanding land for renewable energy projects. These measures will stimulate private sector growth and enhance the business environment.
Grants for cultural, agricultural development
Japan also granted Egypt $3.5 million (500 million Japanese yen) for two specific initiatives.
The first grant aims to improve the Egyptian Cultural Centre’s infrastructure, including the renovation of the Cairo Opera House, through developing equipment and enhancing services in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
The second grant will provide mechanized agricultural technology at affordable prices, reducing operational costs, increasing agricultural production, expanding cultivated land, and improving the livelihoods of low-income farmers.
“We are witnessing an exceptional phase in the history of Egyptian-Japanese relations, where we are strengthening our cooperation and reaffirming the deep-rooted bond between the two countries, which has lasted for over seven decades since its inception in 1954,” Al-Mashat said.
Moreover, Al-Mashat highlighted the strong Egyptian-Japanese relationship, built on mutual respect, a shared vision, and a commitment to sustainable development, where Japan provided grants and technical assistance totalling $2.4 billion and development financing amounting to $7.2 billion over seven decades.

The minister further outlined the planning ministry’s efforts to strengthen this strategic partnership through annual policy dialogues and the upcoming "Egypt-Japan Cooperation Strategy," aligning with Egypt’s Vision 2030 and the government’s programme (2024-2027).
Al-Mashat also expressed her gratitude to the Japanese government, JICA, and all involved parties for their continued efforts in achieving these agreements.
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