Egypt, Japan strengthen ties in transportation and industry

CAIRO – 21 August 2024: In a significant step to bolster bilateral ties, Egyptian Minister of Transport, Kamel el-Wazir, and Japanese Ambassador to Egypt, Oka Hiroshi, met to discuss expanding cooperation in transportation and industrial sectors. The meeting, held at the Ministry of Transport headquarters, focused on accelerating the development of Cairo's metro system and promoting Japanese investment in Egypt.

A key highlight of the discussion was the expansion of Cairo's Metro Line 4. Both parties expressed their commitment to extending the line to serve the growing population of 6th of October City. Detailed plans were discussed to extend the metro line by an additional 4.5 kilometers, catering to the increasing demand for public transportation in the area.

Moreover, the ministers explored opportunities for future collaboration on the second and third phases of the metro project, which aim to connect the city center with new urban developments like the New Administrative Capital.

The Japanese side expressed interest in localizing the manufacturing of metro cars and related components in Egypt, aligning with the Egyptian government's strategy to promote domestic industrialization.

To support these ambitious transportation projects, both countries agreed to enhance cooperation in the field of human capital development. The Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA) will continue to provide training to Egyptian engineers in urban transportation planning and management.

Beyond transportation, the meeting touched upon the potential for increased Japanese investment in Egypt's industrial sector. Minister el-Wazir highlighted the government's ambitious plan to transform Egypt into a regional manufacturing hub.

Japanese companies were invited to explore opportunities in various sectors, including automotive, renewable energy, and consumer electronics.