The Chairman of the General Authority for the Suez Canal Economic Zone (SCZone), Mostafa Sheikhoun, on Wednesday met a high-level delegation from Japan’s Toyota Tsusho Corporation (TTC), led by the President and Chief Executive Officer of Toyota Tsusho Group, Toshimitsu Imai, at SCZone’s headquarters in Port Said to discuss strengthening co-operation and exploring new investment opportunities.
As the meeting started, Sheikhoun welcomed the delegation, highlighting the historic Egyptian-Japanese relationship and stressing SCZone’s ambition to expand co-operation with Toyota Tsusho beyond its role in the SCAT Ro-Ro terminal at East Port Said Port, particularly in renewable and clean energy and automotive manufacturing.
He highlighted Toyota Tsusho’s automotive expertise and SCZone’s integrated infrastructure, including the East Port Said Industrial Zone and Port, as well as roads, tunnels and railways connecting the Canal’s eastern and western banks.
He also cited SCZone’s strategic location, access to more than 3.5 billion consumers through free-trade agreements and investor-friendly one-stop-shop services.
SCZone attracted more than 117 projects worth US$7.26 billion in 2025–2026 despite global geopolitical challenges.
For his part, the delegation head praised the partnership and SCZone’s support, noting that SCAT has received six specialised vehicle carriers and handled 4,500 vehicles since opening in November 2025, including export and transit cargo, while recently facilitating the export of 200 passenger buses to West Africa through the Mediterranean.
He expressed Toyota Tsusho’s interest in expanding into industrial, logistics, automotive and renewable-energy activities.
With $159 million invested, SCAT—operated by Bolloré, Toyota Tsusho and NYK—aims to establish Egypt as a regional vehicle-production and export hub, with capacity for 50,000 vehicles annually.
