Wednesday, July 22, 2020 | The Japan Times | 5 Egypt National Day Special Friendly, bilateral relationship continues to develop

AYMAN ALY KAMEL status, role and influence, derive essentially country has managed since 2016 to stant partner in promoting several key cul- AMBASSADOR OF EGYPT from the particular geostrategic location, embark on a national comprehensive tural, economic and educational projects diverse Afro-Arab culture and distinct reform program, backed by International in Egypt such as the Cairo Opera House, On the occasion of Mediterranean civilization. Egypt remains Monetary Fund support, to address dif- the Friendship Bridge over the Suez Canal, the 68th Anniver- a cornerstone for peace, security and sta- ferent structural and financial challenges, the Cairo University Pediatric Hospital and sary of the July 23, bility in the Middle East, thanks to its bal- aimed at putting the Egyptian economy the Egypt-Japan University of Science and 1952, revolution, I anced foreign policy. on the right track in accordance with Technology (E-JUST), the first Japanese would like to seize The July revolution was an iconic day global economic trends. university of its kind in the Middle East and this opportunity to in Egypt’s modern history that enabled The success of the economic reform pro- North Africa region. express, on behalf the country to retain its independence gram has been reflected in Egypt’s macro- The Japanese government, represented of President of the and free will, establish its republican sys- economic indices over the past six years. by the Japan International Cooperation Arab Republic of tem and launch its national development During the first half of fiscal 2019-20, before Agency, continues its reputable record of Egypt Abdel-Fattah plans, and lead the way for supporting the coronavirus outbreak, the country supporting megaprojects in Egypt, particu- el-Sissi, the Egyptian government and the the independence of many Arab and Afri- achieved a growth rate of 5.4 percent, and larly the Grand Egyptian Museum, planned Egyptian people, our profound admira- can countries. the unemployment rate had decreased to to be the largest archaeological museum in tion and deep respect to Their Imperial Following two national uprisings in the 7.7 percent from 11.3 percent in January the world showing thousands of artifacts Majesties Emperor Naruhito and Empress span of two years, (on Jan. 25, 2011, and 2018. The inflation rate was reduced to 5 from a single civilization. The museum was Masako, all members of the imperial fam- June 30, 2013), we are pleased to see that percent, foreign reserves exceeded $45 bil- scheduled to open in October, but due to ily, the government and the people of Egypt’s political road map has been success- lion through February, and the balance of the pandemic, it has been rescheduled to Japan for the continued friendly relations fully accomplished and the process of insti- payment ran an overall surplus of $410.9 open in 2021. In this context, both sides that exist between Egypt and Japan. tutional reform has been constitutionally million, compared to a total deficit of $1.8 established the Grand Egyptian Museum I am proud to say that I represent a coun- achieved in record time, enabling the coun- billion in the same period a year earlier. Joint Conservation Center in 2010, as a res- try that holds a unique position in the try to regain its key position worldwide. Historically, Egypt has been one of the toration and a research hub applying the history of humanity, past and present. Its In light of Egypt’s Vision 2030, the first countries in the Middle East and Africa highest international standards. President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi shakes hands with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in Osaka on June 27, to develop bilateral relations with Japan, Furthermore, the cooperation proj- 2019, during his visit to Japan to attend the Osaka Group of 20 summit. PRESIDENCY OF EGYPT dating back to 1864 when the members ect, Egypt-Japan Education Partnership, of the second Japanese mission to Europe through which the introduction of the visited Egypt and took their famous photo Japanese extracurricular school activities next to the Sphinx. system — known as tokubetsu katsudō or Relations between the two countries tokkatsu for short — in 200 schools across continued to develop steadily over the Egypt is advancing steadily. Over 2,500 years, until it witnessed an unprecedented scholarships are being granted to Egyptian leap since January 2015, when Prime Min- students and researchers predominantly ister of Japan Shinzo Abe visited Egypt. from the health and education sectors from This considerable development was fol- 2019 to 2022. lowed by an important official working Finally, I would like to convey my best visit by our president to Japan in March wishes to all my compatriots in Japan on 2016, and another two consecutive visits in the occasion of the national day of Egypt 2019, in his capacity as the chair of the Afri- and express my gratitude to the friendly can Union, to attend the Osaka Group of people of Japan. 20 summit in June, and The Seventh Tokyo Long live the friendship between Egypt Expected to be the largest archaeological museum in the world displaying thousands of artifacts International Conference on African Devel- and Japan. from a single civilization, the Grand Egyptian Museum has been rescheduled to open in 2021 in opment in Yokohama in August. Giza. COURTESY OF GEM / EHAF Since the 1970s, Japan has been a con- This content was compiled in collabora- tion with the embassy. The views expressed here do not necessarily reflect those of the Exciting prospects for business exchange newspaper. The Pyramids of Giza and the Great Sphinx of Giza GETTY IMAGES

JUN KARUBE There, we convened a joint conference expressed admiration for Japanese educa- CHAIRMAN, JAPAN-EGYPT BUSINESS with our Egyptian counterpart, the Egypt- tion, and his government is spearheading COUNCIL Japan Business Council, and held an Egyp- an initiative for adopting elements of Japa- tian-Japanese investment forum. nese pedagogy. Congratulations Our visit to Egypt was in advance of The In Yokohama, the Japan-Egypt Busi- Congratulations to our Egyptian Seventh Tokyo International Conference ness Council sponsored an investment friends as they on African Development (TICAD 7), which and trade seminar in conjunction with approach their convened in Yokohama in August. We took TICAD 7. Influential government officials to the People of the National Day on the opportunity at our joint conference and business leaders from Egypt described July 23. This is a to examine Egypt’s crucial positioning in measures under way for improving the welcome occasion African development and to identify prior- business environment in their nation. Arab Republic of Egypt for recognizing ity sectors for cultivating trade and invest- They fielded questions and suggestions anew the impres- ment. President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi and from representatives of Japanese corpora- on the Anniversary sive vitality that Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouli honored tions, and the seminar was a huge success drives continuing us with their attendance at the conference. in highlighting important possibilities for progress for Egypt. This day is an occa- They and other senior Egyptian officials expanding Egyptian-Japanese business. of Their National Day sion, too, for reaffirming the Japanese role envisaged a strong and highly encouraging We at the Japan-Egypt Business Coun- in nurturing that vitality. commitment to promoting Egyptian-Japa- cil will continue working to fulfill our Nurturing mutual vitality through busi- nese business. namesake mission. Fostering business ness exchange has been the mission of The discussions in Cairo engendered ties is ultimately a matter of fostering the Japan-Egypt Business Council since gratifying momentum that carried over human relationships, and I take heart at the council’s founding in 1978. We and to productive dialogue in Osaka in June the progress we have witnessed in broad- our forebears have tackled that mission 2019 and in Yokohama in August. Our ening cultural and personal exchange, as through evolving circumstances over the council sponsored a business roundtable well as business interchange, between past 42 years, and the past two years have in Osaka in conjunction with the Group our nations. In that spirit, I express our been a period of especially productive of 20 summit there. The president again profound sympathy to all Egyptians who International Division exchange. graced us with his presence and inspired have been affected by the coronavirus. 6-16-6, Nishi-Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, The Japan-Egypt Business Council dis- us with encouraging remarks. He pledged Let us pray for an early end to this global Tokyo 160-0023, Japan patched a trade and investment mission to to do everything in his power to elimi- ordeal. And let us build an increasingly Cairo in March 2019 in cooperation with nate business impediments encountered robust relationship for our nations in a Phone: +81 3 5325 6211 Fax: +81 3 5325 6214 the Japan External Trade Organization. by Japanese companies in Egypt. He also post-pandemic world. http://www.dnc.co.jp/en/

Congratulations Congratulations Congratulations to the People of Congratulations to the People of the Arab Republic of Egypt to the People of the Arab Republic of Egypt to the People of on the Occasion of the Arab Republic of Egypt on the Occasion of the Anniversary of the Arab Republic of Egypt Their National Day on the Occasion of the Anniversary of the Anniversary of Their National Day on the Occasion of Their National Day the Anniversary of Their National Day The Egyptian team's welcome reception by Tenri city and Nara prefecture

www.toyota-tsusho.com TENRI CITY Liaison Representative, Cairo In June 2018, Tenri was registered as a host town of Egypt’s Nihonbashi 1-chome Bldg., 2 Aly Rashed St., Star Capital A2, 9th floor Unit 93 Citystars, Heliopolis, Cairo, Egypt Judo team for the Olympic and Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020. Tel: +20 (0)2-2480-1996 4-1, Nihonbashi 1-chome, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 103-8247, Japan

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