Deputy Prime Minister for Industrial Development and Minister of Industry and Transport, Kamel El-Wazir, met with Japanese Ambassador to Cairo Fumio Iwai to discuss the status of joint projects and explore future cooperation in the transport and industry sectors.
The meeting was attended by senior officials from both sides, including Engineer Wajdi Radwan, Deputy Minister of Transport for Rail Transport and Electric Traction; Major General Ashraf El-Louzi, Assistant Minister of Transport for Authorities and Companies; Major General Tarek Ghouili, Head of the National Authority for Tunnels; and Ambassador Ihab Nasr, Advisor to the Minister of Industry for International Cooperation.
El-Wazir praised the strong ties between Egypt and Japan, highlighting their fruitful cooperation in several projects, particularly in the transport sector. He expressed hope for expanding collaboration in both transport and industry. Ambassador Iwai commended the partnership, noting significant Japanese interest in investing in Egypt’s promising business climate, citing the first phase of the fourth metro line as a prime example.
The talks addressed boosting cooperation between the Arab Group factories and Japanese companies in home appliances, as well as advancing technical and technological education through a protocol between the Productive Capacity and Vocational Training Authority and the Cabinet’s Education Development Fund, supported by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
The agreement aims to produce skilled, job-ready graduates for local and international markets, with a focus on electronics and green energy technologies, through combined theoretical education and hands-on training in Japanese-operated factories in Egypt.
The discussions also reviewed the vehicle manufacturing incentives programme, which offers benefits to the state, manufacturers, and consumers, with positive implications for companies operating in Egypt, including Japanese automaker Nissan.
On infrastructure, the two sides assessed progress on the first phase of Metro Line 4, stretching 19 km from 6 October City to Fustat, with 17 stations. The project is being executed in partnership with Mitsubishi, which is supplying 23 trains and overseeing electromechanical works and workshops. The first train is scheduled for delivery in May 2026, with the rest to follow according to schedule.
Plans are underway for the second phase of the line, extending 31.8 km from Fustat to New Cairo, linking with other major transport projects including Metro Line 6 and the East Nile Monorail. Studies are also planned for the third and fourth phases, expanding the line to Hosary Square and the Capital Airport Station, respectively, to further strengthen Cairo’s integrated transport network.