As Egyptian saying indicates that “Once you drink from the Nile, you will come back again,” I had the chance to work in Egypt from 2002 to 2003, I am happy to come back as Chief Representative of JICA Egypt Office to make efforts to contribute to socioeconomic development of Egypt and deepening partnerships between Egypt and Japan.
JICA, or Japan International Co-operation Agency, is one of the world’s largest bilateral development agencies with its objective to promote international cooperation as well as the sound development of global economy. Our portfolio of cooperation with Egypt is very rich totalling more than $9 billion including technical co-operation, soft finance, grants, volunteer programme, triangular cooperation and others in an integrated manner. We work in over 150 countries and regions and has around 90 overseas offices.
Egypt and Japan have enjoyed a long-lasting friendship. Back in the 1860s, a samurai diplomatic mission to Europe passed through Egypt and deeply impressed with Egyptian modernization and traditions. Egypt remains an important country in the Middle East and North Africa, and across the world.
JICA has built a strong relationship with Egypt over decades. Our partnership began with a technical cooperation project in 1954, followed by an ODA loan to expand the Suez Canal in the 1970s. Since then, we have also worked together in the transportation, energy, health, agriculture, education, tourism and cultural sectors.
Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM), is one of the flagship projects of JICA. JICA is financing the construction of GEM through 2 ODA loans of a total around $ 800 million as well as providing technical cooperation in the field of conservation and restoration, management and operation of the museum, and excavation and reassembly of the Second King Khufu Boat. JICA believes that this iconic museum will become one of the most important symbols of the Egyptian-Japanese long history of cooperation. Cairo Metro Line No. 4, which JICA is proud to support, will connect between the centre of Old Cairo and Giza Pyramids District, and it is expected to have a station in front of GEM, which leads to the development of the area. There are number of other flagship projects such as Al-Salam Bridge, the Abul Reesh Pediatric Hospital, Cairo Opera House, Borg Al Arab International Airport, and others.
I again would like to express my great pleasure and honour for myself being assigned for this position, and looking forward to contributing to Egypt.
