On Thursday, Egyptian Minister of Housing, Utilities, and Urban Communities, Eng. Sherif El-Sherbiny, met with the Japanese Ambassador to Egypt, Oka Hiroshi, and Nobutaka Maekawa, Executive Vice President of the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO). The meeting aimed to explore opportunities for enhancing mutual cooperation in transferring and localizing advanced technologies. The session was attended by officials from the ministry and representatives from several major Japanese companies, including Fuji Clean, Tokyo Electric Power Services Co., and Kawasaki Heavy Industries.
During the meeting, Minister El-Sherbiny emphasized the strong and deep-rooted relationship between Egypt and Japan. He expressed the ministry’s eagerness to strengthen cooperation with Japanese companies, particularly in the fields of infrastructure development and smart cities. He highlighted the importance of transferring and localizing advanced technologies, particularly in the areas of drinking water, wastewater treatment, desalination, and other key sectors related to the ministry’s work.
The minister also took the opportunity to showcase Egypt’s accomplishments in urban development since 2014. He noted the significant progress made in constructing new cities, upgrading infrastructure, and expanding water desalination and wastewater treatment capacities to reuse water in line with international standards. El-Sherbiny emphasized that Egypt’s experience in these sectors has allowed it to accumulate expertise, build a skilled workforce, and acquire the necessary equipment and capital to carry out large-scale projects both domestically and internationally.
The minister further pointed out that President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi has issued clear directives to maximize Egyptian manufacturing and the use of local products. He stated that enhancing cooperation between Egyptian and Japanese companies would not only facilitate the exchange of expertise and technology but also support the sustainability of ongoing and future projects by ensuring efficient operation and management.
El-Sherbiny also extended an invitation to the Japanese government and companies to participate actively in the World Urban Forum, which Egypt is set to host in November. He emphasized that the forum represents a valuable opportunity for deeper cooperation between Egyptian and Japanese companies, allowing for the exchange of experiences and organizing bilateral meetings and workshops among specialists.
In response, the Japanese Ambassador expressed Japan’s interest in strengthening its collaboration with Egypt through the exchange of expertise and cutting-edge technologies, particularly in infrastructure development and smart cities. Ambassador Hiroshi also acknowledged the substantial progress Egypt has made in urban development, including the construction of new cities and advancements in water and wastewater treatment, which he believes will open doors for further joint ventures between the two nations.
The Japanese ambassador affirmed Japan’s commitment to participating in the World Urban Forum with a high-level delegation of Japanese companies. He stressed that the forum presents an excellent platform for discussing project details, particularly those related to Egypt’s Presidential Initiative “Decent Life,” aimed at developing the country’s rural areas.
Nobutaka Maekawa, Executive Vice President of JETRO, highlighted Egypt’s position as an attractive market for infrastructure investments, particularly in water, wastewater, and desalination projects. He expressed Japan’s keen interest in expanding cooperation in these areas, noting that Japanese companies are well-positioned to contribute to Egypt’s ongoing development efforts.
Maekawa also pointed out that JETRO has a strong presence in Egypt, with multiple missions and over 22 Japanese companies and organizations working in fields such as renewable energy, hydrogen, and water. He further mentioned that over 400 companies from 80 countries participated in Cairo’s Water Technology Exhibition, reflecting the global interest in Egypt’s infrastructure sector.
During the meeting, representatives from Japanese companies presented their respective fields of expertise and products, showcasing potential collaboration opportunities in various sectors, including water, wastewater, desalination, and hydrogen. The Japanese companies expressed their commitment to supporting Egypt’s infrastructure projects in line with the country’s needs and its vision for future development, particularly in the burgeoning hydrogen sector.
In summary, the meeting underscored the mutual commitment of Egypt and Japan to further strengthen their cooperation in the fields of infrastructure and technology, with an eye toward sustainability, innovation, and long-term development. Both nations look forward to exploring new opportunities at the upcoming World Urban Forum, fostering deeper partnerships between Egyptian and Japanese companies.
