Minister of Finance, Mohamed Maeet, underscored on Sunday the importance of upgrading the local health, education and culture sectors.
The development of these sectors, the minister said, is at the top of the Egyptian government’s priorities.
He added during a meeting in Cairo with a delegation from the Japan International Co-operation Agency (JICA) that the government is taking a large number of measures to develop public services in co-operation with development partners at the local and international levels.
“This comes within the framework of the government’s efforts to lay the foundations of sustainable development in accordance with the Egypt 2030 Vision,” Minister Maeet said.
He added that these efforts aim to improve the living standards of Egyptian citizens through the sustainable development of the services offered them in all fields.
Minister Maeet expressed, meanwhile, appreciation for development co-operation with Japan.
He described the Asian country as one of Egypt’s most important development partners.
“We are keen to benefit from Japan’s inspiring experience in human development,” the Egyptian minister said.
He described the Japanese human development experience as a ‘pioneering model’.
This experience, he said, is an essential element in supporting development efforts in the face of poverty.
He added that Egypt also gets inspiration from this experience in improving the quality of life of its citizens and increasing employment by helping citizens acquire the necessary skills.
He noted that Egypt also gets inspiration from the Japanese human development experience in completing the upgrade of infrastructure throughout it.
“The Egyptian government spares no effort in improving the quality of public services by strengthening governance systems, and establishing best global management practices, and strategic planning,” the minister said.
“We are keen to benefit from the financial and technical support provided by JICA, especially with regard to joint co-operation in the fields of health, education and culture,” he added.
He referred to the universal health insurance project and the Egyptian-Japanese schools as models of co-operation with Tokyo.
Minister Maeet also referred to the ongoing construction of the Grand Egyptian Museum at the foot of the Giza Pyramids and plateau as a model for co-operation with the Asian country.
He said Egypt is strongly interested in encouraging the return of Japanese tourists to Egypt.
He added that this is an opportune time for the return of the Japanese tourist movement to Egypt, especially with the Covid-19 pandemic subsiding down.
Tourism, he said, is a sector of paramount importance for the Egyptian economy.
Minister Maeet said Egypt has a comprehensive plan for the enhancement of trade and investment co-operation relations with Japan.
The members of the JICA delegation, for their part, said Japan is keen on enhancing development co-operation with Egypt.
Japan, they said, would focus on supporting human development efforts, especially in health, education and culture.
They pointed out that they are ready to provide full support to the universal health insurance project and participate in developing Japanese schools in Egypt.
