Abdelatty discusses cooperation with Chief of Japan-Egypt Parliamentary Friendship Association

CAIRO – 23 August 2024: During his participation in the TICAD Ministerial Meeting in Tokyo, Egypt's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Immigration, and Egyptian Expatriates Affairs Badr Abdelatty met with the Secretary General of the Japan-Egypt Parliamentary Friendship Association, Mr. Yamada, along with several members from the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, on Friday.

Abdelatty also held a working lunch with the Egyptian-Japanese Business Council, said ambassador Ahmed Abu Zeid, the official spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration in a statement.

Abdelatty began his meeting with Mr. Yamada by commending the robust and multifaceted bilateral relations between Egypt and Japan.

The Foreign Minister highlighted the significant progress in their economic, developmental, and cultural cooperation, which elevated their relationship to the level of a "strategic partnership" last year.

Abdelatty emphasized that the diverse cooperation areas underscore the importance and uniqueness of these relations, citing Japan’s support for the Grand Egyptian Museum project as an example. He expressed hope for high-level Japanese participation in the museum’s opening ceremony once the date is set.

He also noted that the strategic partnership necessitates enhanced cooperation and coordination in various fields, including legislative collaboration. He referred to the historic speech by the Egyptian President before the Japanese Parliament in 2016 and the 2017 visit of Ali Abdel Aal, former Speaker of the House of Representatives, to Japan. Abdelatty reiterated Egypt’s commitment to maintaining the momentum of mutual visits and expressed anticipation of a Japanese parliamentary delegation visiting Egypt soon.

In response, Yamada congratulated Abdelatty on his appointment and appreciated his visit to Tokyo for the TICAD Ministerial Meeting. He acknowledged Egypt’s pivotal role in regional stability and highlighted the shared appreciation for Egypt’s contributions.

Additionally, Abdelatty also addressed the ongoing regional challenges facing Egypt, including instability in Libya, Sudan, and Gaza, as well as unrest in the Sahel and Horn of Africa. He noted that Egypt now hosts nearly 9 million foreigners, which adds to its burden.

Furthermore, in his meeting with the Egyptian-Japanese Business Council, Abdelatty underscored Egypt’s steady economic progress despite global crises and regional unrest. He highlighted the country’s increased economic competitiveness, the empowerment of the private sector, and efforts to attract foreign direct investment. He also discussed Egypt’s ambition to become a regional hub for supply chains and renewable energy.

Abdlatty reviewed the activities of Japanese companies in Egypt, including those in engineering, automotive, pharmaceuticals, food products, financial services, infrastructure, IT, and renewable energy.

He expressed a desire for more Japanese investment in Egypt, particularly in the Suez Canal Economic Zone, and emphasized the Egyptian government’s commitment to removing administrative and logistical barriers.

Additionally, he mentioned the results of the Egyptian-European Investment Conference held in June and proposed the possibility of an Egyptian-Japanese investment conference in the near future.

The Chairman of the Business Council reaffirmed the Council’s support for trade between the two countries since 1978, noted the Japanese Prime Minister’s meeting with the Joint Business Council in Cairo in April 2023, and mentioned the planned visit of the Chairman of the General Authority for Investment to Japan later this year.

He stressed the Council’s commitment to enhancing bilateral relations despite regional developments and highlighted the enduring values connecting Egypt and Japan.

Abdelatty’s meetings aim to strengthen bilateral relations with Japan from a comprehensive perspective and to showcase Egypt’s investment opportunities aligned with Egypt's Vision 2030.