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1- The official visit held by the former Japanese Prime Minister, Shinzo Abe, to Cairo on May 2007 gave a strong impetus to enhancing and developing bilateral relations. The embassy is keen to invest the outcome of the visit to boost cooperation not only in the political affairs, but in economic and cultural affairs too. The embassy is to follow up the conclusions of this significant visit and the recommendations issued in the joint statement.
2- The embassy works on activating the strategic dialogue, which was agreed to be launched between Egypt and Japan. It hopes that the first session of this dialogue, on the Foreign Ministerial level be held in the appropriate time. It is also expected that Assistant Foreign Minister for Asian Affairs pays a visit to Tokyo during the period from 9 to 13 April 2008 in order to hold the fifteenth session of the Egyptian-Japanese political consultations, in which the Japanese side is presided by the Director General of the Middle East and Africa Department in the Japanese Foreign Ministry.
The visit of the Egyptian Minister of Tourism to Japan
Egyptian Minister of Tourism, Mohammed Zoheir Garana, paid a visit to Japan during the period from 3 to 6 February 2008, on top of a senior official delegation from the Ministry of Tourism, which also encompassed Head of the Tourism Development Authority, and officials of the Tourism Activation Authority, in response to the invitation offered to him by his Japanese counterpart.
The visit came in an important phase of developing the Egyptian-Japanese touristic relations, especially after the number of Japanese tourist to Egypt reached up to 129, 000 tourists at the end of 2006, with an increase of 47% more than 2006. Egyptian Minister of Tourism outlined our awareness with such important development and our keenness to enhance Japanese tourism through exploring means of boosting bilateral cooperation either through governmental channels, in coordination with Japanese Ministry of Lands, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, or through listening to the Japanese private institutions in the field of tourism.
The visit was based on four main axes:
First: Participation in the inauguration of the Annual Sapporo Snow Festival, in which Egypt was a guest of honor. During the festival, three snow models for the Khofo Pyramid, the Sphinx, and Abu Simbel Temple, which witnessed astounding public attendance, as the number of its visitors is expected to reach up to 2 million visitors and its opening ceremony enjoyed intensive media coverage, which represented very positive publicity for Egypt in Japan.
Second: the meetings organized for the Minister of Tourism with a number of Japanese senior officials, on top of them the Japanese Minister of Lands, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, Tetsuzo Fuyushiba, Director General of the Consular affairs, Ambassador Tanizaki, Director General of the Public Diplomacy in the Japanese Foreign Ministry, Ambassador Yamamoto, Head of Japanese Union of Touristic Chambers (JATA), and Friendship and Exchange Council (FEC), and representative of the Japanese Airlines (JAL), and representative of one of the largest Japanese Touristic companies (JTB(.
Third: many media and press meetings were held with reporters from Egyptian and Japanese newspapers and news agencies, in addition to the touristic magazines specialized in diving and golf tourism, among others, in order to benefit from the spread of these periodicals and its publicity to propagandize for Egypt, especially in fields other than monumental tourism, the matter which highlights the image of modern Egypt and the variety of its touristic product.
Fourth: an Egyptian night was held on the honor of Egyptian Minister of Tourism in one of the largest Japanese hotels, for which a number of statesmen, media reporters and largest Japanese touristic authorities were invited, in addition to a number of significant members in the Japanese Parliament and Arab Ambassadors accredited to Japan, to acquaint them with the Egyptian keenness to promote its relations with Japan in the field of tourism.
In the meetings held by the Minister of Tourism special subjects were discussed, particularly the Egyptian side's interest to increase the number of the direct air flights of EgyptAir between the two airports of Narita and Cairo, especially after tourism has vastly been promoted.
The visit was a great success as concerns acquainting the Japanese touristic authorities with the Egyptian diversified touristic product, which is part of the Egyptian efforts directed to new age-groups such as the recently married and the youth through diversifying touristic aspects and fields such as the diving, golf, desert and beach tourism, after the Egyptian tourism has been confined in the Japanese mind to only the cultural tourism. This is in addition to the Egyptian interest in attracting the Japanese Touristic investment, and affirming out preparation to offer the needed support and facilities.
After the meeting between the two ministers, and after negotiations with the Japanese Ministry of Lands, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, the embassy reached a press statement, which may be the most important achievement of the visit.
The visit also represented an opportunity to demonstrate the Egyptian initiative of announcing 2009 a year for touristic cooperation between Egypt and Japan, similar to announcing 2008 a year for cooperation in science and technology, in order to invest the impetus witnessed in the relations between the two countries in the current phase to raise the Japanese tourists number up to 200,000 on 2010.
Launching the General activities of cooperation year in science and technology between Egypt and Japan
The Egyptian Ambassador to Japan, Waleed Mahmoud Abdel Nasser held a reception at the ambassador's residence, on January 8th 2008, to announce the agreement between the Egyptian and the Japanese governments to declare 2008 a year of cooperation in sciences and technology and to launch the activities of that year . The reception was attended by 600 persons, foremost of whom were by group of senior Japanese officials , headed by the state's Minister for Financial Services and Administrative Reform on behalf of the Government, and a number of leading parliaments in the Japanese parliament, in addition to senior officials from the Japanese Foreign Ministry, and the presidents of the Japanese Universities, as well as large Japanese Companies.
The Egyptian Ambassador to Japan Abdel Nasser announced that this reception represents an inauguration of the general activities of cooperation in science and technology between Egypt and Japan, which will include a group of various activities including holding symposiums, specified work shops, in addition to joint researches, and exchanged visits for the professors and students.
Ambassador Abdel Nasser also confirmed that the activities of year 2008 will not come to an end at the end of the year, as this initiative is not an aim per se , but rather aims at finding a diverse network of continuous cooperation between Universities, Egyptian research centers, and their Japanese counterparts, since year 2008 represents a starting point that lends strong momentum to the scientific relations between Egypt and Japan throughout the coming years. Moreover the activities of 2008 will not be confined to the natural scientific or engineering aspects only, but will also include the social and humanitarian sciences, in addition to the media and cultural aspects.
A number of scientific activities have also been held within the framework of 2008, most important of which is the international workshop that was organized in cooperation between Helwan University, and Kyoto Institute of Technology (KIT), on fiber technology. A scientific cooperation agreement was also signed between both Universities. In the same context Komazawa University also signed agreement on scientific cooperation with Cairo University, there is continuous coordination to convene other activities, the most important of which Egyptian learners' conference in Japan, which is organized by the Egyptian Embassy in Tokyo, and hosted by Japanese Waseda University.
In the same context, " Koji OMI " Member of the House of Representatives of Japan, and Founder of Science and Technology in Society STS forum agreed to orhanise a special event in Egypt at the time of convening the 5th session of the forum in Kyoto, during the period from October 5th to 7th 2008. On the occasion of holding the Forum, the possibility of presenting Culturama show on the Egyptian Culture has been currently discussed.
Ambassador Waleed Mahmoud also held a dinner at the ambassador's residence, on February 12th 2008, to promote the activities of 2008, by launching the meetings and the works of the unofficial group of the cooperation year friends in science and technology between Egypt and Japan 2008. the banquet was attended by a group of high Japanese persons topped by Mr. "Matsuda", former Minister of State for Science and Technology Policy and member of Japanese counselors council, and a representative for " Koji OMI " Member of the House of Representatives of Japan, and Founder of Science and Technology in Society STS forum, who related to the Japanese Prime Ministry, and a representative for the Japanese Ministry of Education, Youth and Culture, as well as Ambassador "Katakura", and Ambassador "Soutou", Former Japanese Ambassadors to Cairo, besides the Regional Coordinator in Middle East Department in the Japanese Foreign Ministry, and a number of Professors in the Japanese Universities, topped by Tokyo University, Kyoto Institute of Technology (KIT), and "Waseda" University, in addition to a number of Egyptian businessmen who resident in Tokyo a long time ago.
The Egyptian Arts Exhibition (Discoveries of Waseda University during 40 years) at Hokaidu Museum for Modern Arts at Saburu
1- The Organising body of the Exhibition "Hokkaidu Broadcasting" held a reception attended by Dr. Sakuji Yoshimura and a number of major sponsors of the archaeological missions throughout 40 years, as well as the organizers exhibitions in several other Japanese towns and the participation of the embassy, as the mentioned exhibition continued for about 2 years in 12 Japanese towns, and will end in August, 2008.
2- The activities of the Exhibition which were inaugurated on the 19th February, were attended by the Mayor of Saburu Museum of Modern Arts, and the Head of the organising Authority of the Exhibition as well as Japanese media. Mohamed Radwan, Director General of the Center for registering Egyptian artifacts, participated from the Egyptian side, Mr.Assem Hefny from Rose-El Youssef magazine, Mr. Khaled Ali Editor Chief of Al Massa , Wael El Ibrashy and Mr. Samir Ragab Editor in Chief despite their invitation .
3- Dr. Yoshimura gave the opening speech, in which he deeply thanked the permanent sponsors of the archaeological mission from various Japanese companies and the Egyptian official authority, which have spared no effort in assisting him in his archaeological work throughout the past 40 years .Yoshimura considered the indicated artifacts exhibition a starting point for his career in the field of archaeological field, hoping that those bodies would continue to provide support for him and his mission.
4- The Exhibition which would continue in Saburu from 19/2 23/3/2008, received an extensive media coverage in the newspapers, the local T.V in addition to advertisement in various transportation means. 1450 people alone visited it on the first day. The display of the Egyptian archaeological pieces before the visitors was attractive, and audio visual means accompanied the artifacts, which was vastly attended by the audiences.
5- The exhibition will move afterwards from the Northern part of Japan (Saburu – the Capital of Hokaidu) to the South (Kumamoto the Capital of Kyusho) before heading afterwards to Tokyo.
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The visit of Chairman of the General Authority for Investment and Free Zones, Mr. Assem Ragab to Japan on January 17th and 18th
Chairman of the General Authority for Investment and Free Zones (GAFI), Mr. Assem Ragab, paid a visit to Japan on January 17th and 18th on top of a delegation representing the Authority within the framework of a tour which also included Singapore, Japan and China, in order to propagandize for the Economic Zone North West Gulf of Suez (SEZONE), whose area is estimated by 20.4 km2.
This "road show" aimed to demonstrate the qualities enjoyed by this region, such as the special geographic place at the middle of the maritime lines between Asia and Europe, and the bonus and benefits offered by the Egyptian government to encourage and attract investments, unifying the authority of administration and supervision of the region, offering it many customs exemptions, and taxes advantages, providing the necessary, trained work force and establishing a special mechanism for resolving commercial disputes, away from the commercial juridical disputes bureaucracy, aiming to attract the largest international commercial enterprises (either individually or in the form of coalitions) to promote the SEZONE economically (either the entire region or parts of it) according to a competitive future view which includes the infrastructure of water supplies, sewage, electricity, gas, roads, transport, among other infrastructure needed in the international investment projects. The region is to be managed according to the most modern international levels, within the framework of a general plan, so that the company/companies be able to exploit it with competitive potentials for the economic region on the local, regional and international levels according to the most modern international managerial methods. The GAFI, meanwhile, will supervise over the region, and put the standards and limitations necessary for licensing the projects, in order to trigger the investment and development potentials in all the economic and social fields.
The embassy has organized an intensive meetings schedule for Mr. Ragab, and the accompanying delegation, where he met with senior officials in the Japanese Ministry for Economy, Trade and Industry, the Japanese Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC), and correspondent of the Nikkei newspaper, which is considered one of the largest Japanese newspapers in the field of economy. The Chairman of the GAFI also met with the officials in the largest Japanese commercials corporations such as Sumitomo Electric Ind Cooperation., Mitsui Corporation, Sojitz Corporation, Itochu Corporation, Sumitomo Corporation, Mitsubishi Corporation.
During the meetings, Mr. Assem Ragab outlined that the GAFI has not yet presented the international bid of the project (as it is preparing for it, to be presented at the end of the first quarter of 2008) and that the key objective for this tour is to demonstrate the details of this project to the grand commercial and investment corporations, listening to them and getting acquainted with their opinions and suggestions towards the establishment, planning and marketing for this region, and what can be expected by its establishment, to put them into consideration when preparing for the bid, and to accommodate with the their actual needs.
Most corporations expressed keenness to consider this project, and to participate in it. It was agreed to carry on consultations between these corporations and the GAFI either through the offices of these corporations in Egypt or the Egyptian embassy in Tokyo. |
Minister of Investment Mahmoud Mohey El-Din visits Japan during the period 14-22 February 2008
Minister of Investment Dr. Mahmoud Mohey El-Din, headed an economic and media delegation during his visit to Japan during the period from 19-22 February. The Egyptian embassy in Japan prepared intensive programs for him, as the Minister met with the Ministers of Trade and industry, the Minister of State for Financial Services and Administrative Reform, and the Governor of Japan Bank for international cooperation as well as the Deputy Central Bank Governor, the Head of the Japanese stock exchange and the Japanese members in the Egyptian-Japanese business Council, and the Deputy Chairman of the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA(.
The Minister was the guest and the main speaker at the investment marketing forum in Egypt organised by the embassy and the Japanese Council for Friendship and Exchange, and the Japanese institute for Foreign Investment. The Minister also met with several Heads of Corporations and effective Japanese Institutions.
The aim and major axis of the visit was to explain and acquaint the Japanese side (whether Government officials or the business Community with the measures undertaken by Egyptian Government to encourage Foreign investments in general and the Japanese investments in particular, while focusing on explaining the government's efforts to activate the concept of partnership between the public and the private sector (P.P.P) through which Japanese and business institutions can actively participate in particular sector like basic infrastructure and energy, or to develop ports and special economic zones. The Minister highlighted the limited volume of Japanese investments in Egypt while admitting their recent increase, which is an evaluation, agreed upon by the Japanese side.
The Ministerial and Government team concerned with economic, commercial and investment issues was keen to meet the Minister (despite their constant preoccupation because of the sessions of the Japanese parliament) which is the greatest indication of the keenness accorded by the Japanese Government to get closely acquainted with the measures adopted by the Egyptian Government to encourage and protect Foreign investments in general and the Japanese investments in particular, particularly in light of the interest accorded by recently Japanese companies to Egyptian markets as one of the most powerful new rising and promising markets, and within the framework of broader interest in diversifying targets for Japanese investments outside its traditional destinations in Asia ,Europe and North America then the Arab region and Africa. |