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Egypt and Japan: A historical partnership focuses on the future
O ne-hundred and fifty-
five years ago, the
second Japanese mis-
sion to Europe, the Ikeda
Mission, visited Egypt on
the way to France. This first
contact between Egypt and
Japan has developed into a
partnership focused on com-
merce, academia and culture.
“Egypt’s population of al-
most 100 million is at the
crossroads of three conti-
nents,” explained Japanese
Ambassador to Egypt H.E.
Masaki Noke. “Strategically
positioned between the Mid-
dle East, Europe and Africa,
the country is an important
partner for Japan in terms of
ensuring security across the
region and as an economic
partner.”
Getting down to business
Following political, social
and economic challenges in
recent years, today, Egypt is
on the right track.
“The dedicated efforts of
the Egyptian government to
reorganize the business and
investment environment
and update the business le-
gal framework and tax sys-
tem in Egypt is well known,”
said Eng. Ibrahim El-Araby,
chairman of the Egypt-Japan
Business Council (EJBC).
“Since 1999, the EJBC has
adopted the structure of a
Supporting Japanese companies in Egypt
S
uccessful businesses
require the best legal
representation. With
11 offices across Europe,
the Middle East and North
Africa, Amereller is rec-
ognized as a leading legal
services firm.
Amereller covers the en-
tire spectrum of business
law and has over 60 law-
yers dedicated to assisting
clients.
Established almost 20
years ago, Mena Associ-
ates, in association with
Amereller, is the firm’s
Cairo office. It represents
OKAZ: A safe environment for investors
F irst recorded in 500
B.C. and lasting until
760 A.D., OKAZ was
the most famous market
on the Arabian Peninsula.
OKAZ began every year
when pilgrims arrived in
Mecca and provided a safe
environment for trading.
OKAZ symbolized chal-
lenge, commitment to ex-
cellence, prudence, trust
and honor.
Since 1984, under the
OKAZ name, the OKAZ
Group has been recognized
as a reliable financial firm.
OKAZ is expanding its
diversified local and in-
ternational client base by
maintaining long-lasting
relationships, offering top-
quality services and pro-
viding prudent investment
advice.
“Our strategy is to con-
tinuously build on our
Toyota Tsusho Corp. — a strong partner for Egypt
T oyota Tsusho Corporation
(TTC) has contributed to
Egyptian society since
1922 when Tomen established
a cotton trading business in
Egypt.
By expanding into power and
infrastructure, oil and gas, auto-
motive and commodity trading,
while also investing in projects
such as the Alexandria National
Iron and Steel Company in 1982,
TTC has gained the trust of the
Egyptian business community.
TTC’s initiative ‘With Africa,
For Africa’ incorporates mobil-
ity, life, community, resources
and environmental projects. To-
day, the TTC Cairo Representa-
tive Office is strengthening its
commitment to the Egyptian
market with a focus on power
generation.
While Egypt currently relies
on thermal power plants for
the majority of its power needs,
Friday, January 25, 2019 | The Japan Times | 5
Synergy Media Specialists
Egypt
© 123RF.COM / FEDOR SELIVANOV
www.synergymediaspecialists.com
A national university founded on an
last year), the Suez Canal
Peace Bridge and many other
“The impact quality edu-
cation has on a society is of Egyptian — Japanese partnership
T
projects. paramount importance to
“Technology and knowl- a country’s development,” he advancements tak- Close to Borg El-Arab
edge transfers are becoming said Noke. “Egypt and Japan ing place in Egypt’s International Airport, E-
increasingly important as are working closely together education sector will JUST is located in the heart
we strengthen our bilateral on educational partnerships have a direct impact on the of Egypt’s industrial region.
ties,” said JICA Egypt Office such as the Egypt-Japan Ed- country’s future. “We promote closer links
Senior Representative Mizu- ucation Partnership, which Supported by the Japan between industry and edu-
ki Matsuzaki. “Through our encompasses early child- International Cooperation cation, as productivity, ef-
official development assis- hood, basic, technical and Agency, Egypt’s flagship ficiency, science and tech-
tance efforts, the Egyptian higher education.” research university, the nology will play important
economy is moving in the Egypt-Japan University of roles in Egypt’s future,” said
© NATIONAL DIET LIBRARY
right direction and the coun- From ancient Egypt to 2019 Science and Technology (E- El-Gohary.
try is becoming more attrac- The three largest and JUST), represents the close “By working in partner-
tive to foreign investors as a best-preserved pyramids at partnership between Egypt ship with our Japanese
© E-JUST
place to do business.” Giza include the Great Pyr- and Japan. friends, we want to add
amid built for the pharaoh Celebrating 10 years this value to Egypt’s efforts to
Education for the nation Khufu. Near the site, JICA year, E-JUST is an academ- Professor Ahmed El-Gohary, become a knowledge-based
Egypt and Japan are work- is financing the construc- ic benchmark for Egypt and President of E-JUST economy. We look for-
December 29, 1863: The Second Japanese Embassy to Europe
(The Ikeda Mission) was sent by the Tokugawa shogunate and ing hand in hand in the aca- tion of one of the world’s African countries. ward to the future and the
demic field. largest museums: the “We intend to become a a role in Japan-Africa re- strengthening of dialogue
headed by Ikeda Nagaoki. On the way to France, the mission Grand Egyptian Museum well-recognized university lations,” said professor between Japan and the
visited Egypt, where members of the mission were photographed (GEM). Designed to exhibit in the Middle East, Africa Ahmed El-Gohary, E-JUST Arab world.” 
at the Sphinx by Antonio Beato. more than 50,000 artifacts, and Europe and also play president. www.ejust.edu.eg
including all of King Tut’s
public-private partnership to “Japan appreciates Egypt’s treasures, even the golden
A pioneer in the cement industry
work together on promoting current investment climate mask, GEM is scheduled to
cooperation between Egypt and many Japanese execu- open in 2020.
and Japan in all sectors of the tives are doing business in “With a civilization dat-
“W
economy, including trade, the country. Excellent prod- ing back 7,000 years, Egypt
industry and services, and we ucts and technologies from is an exciting country,” e have been “Our long-standing rela-
encourage Japanese invest- Japan are being used to fa- concluded Noke. “The re- a significant tionship with our customers
ment, as well as social and cilitate economic growth in lationship between our two contributor to together with business syn-
culture relations.” Egypt,” Tsunemi said. countries will continue to Egypt’s nation-building ef- ergies with technology part-
Japan’s contribution to The Japan International develop as we look to the forts since 1975 by provid- ners will provide us with a
the Egyptian economy is Cooperation Agency (JICA) future.”  ing world-class engineer- competitive edge and 2019
increasing, noted Takashi is committed to Egypt and www.eg.emb-japan.go.jp ing, consultancy, technical will be good for us. We have
© SMS
Tsunemi, managing director has provided grant aid for the www.jica.go.jp assistance and cement plant partnered with Taiheiyo En-
of the Japan External Trade Cairo Opera House (which Masaki Noke, Ambassador of www.jetro.go.jp/en/ management and operation gineering Corp. from Japan
Organization office in Cairo. celebrated its 30 anniversary Japan to Egypt www.jebc.org solutions,” said Eng. Khaled and Promac Engineering
El-Sebaie, managing direc- Industries, Ltd. from India
tor of Arab Swiss Engineer- to provide end-to-end solu-
ing Company (ASEC). tions and pool our industrial
“Over the past four de- capabilities. We are gearing
cades, ASEC has evolved up to deliver unique solu-
from a local engineering and tions for energy efficiency
© ASEC
some of the largest local environment to success- the Egypt-Japan rela- consultancy company to a and optimization to Egypt
private businesses, inter- fully negotiate joint ven- tionship will continue to regional operator of cement Eng. Khaled El-Sebaie, and other key markets
national banks, govern- tures, mergers and acqui- thrive and intends to work facilities managing more Managing Director of ASEC across the region.”
ment agencies and leading sitions. more closely with Japanese than 10 million tons annu- “Egypt is founded on 7,000
multinationals. “We have a multilingual companies in Egypt and ally,” stated El-Sebaie. try is encountering a host of years of civilization and we
As Egypt and Japan con- office in Cairo and can the region. “Our Dubai of- “Our growth is propelled challenges, primarily over- take pride in our deep roots
tinue to work closely to- fully support our interna- fice has a dedicated ‘Japan by a skilled talent pool, supply and inflated cost of in this glorious land that
gether, cross border trans- tional clients,” said Ingy Desk’ with Japanese na- which we are committed energy. We believe that chal- serves as an inspiration for
actions between Japan and Rasekh, managing part- tionals and native speakers to continuously develop lenges pose new opportuni- our relentless quest for ex-
Egypt are increasing and ner, Egypt. “We work very with whom we work very through ASEC’s Training ties for those who are pre- cellence and higher accom-
more joint ventures, part- closely with various Japa- closely. We look forward Academy,” he added. “It pared to cater to them,” said plishments,” concluded El-
© MENA ASSOCIATES
nerships and mergers are nese companies to support to continuing to serve our stands as a hub for cement- El-Sebaie, “At ASEC, we de- Sebaie. 
being announced. their activities in Egypt.” Japanese clients.”  technology training in the ploy talent and technology www.asec-engineering.com
In association with Ame- Rasekh is confident that www.amereller.com Middle East and North Afri- together with our profound
reller, Mena Associates can region, with a record of expertise to create reliable
has extensive experience graduates exceeding 16,000 and cost-efficient solutions
Ingy Rasekh, Managing in all aspects of business since 1985. driving sustainable develop-
Partner of Mena Associates law and knows the local “The global cement indus- ment for our customers.”
Celebrating 80 years of continuous commitment to Egypt
A s a leading Japa-
nese information
and communications
technology (ICT) company,
We see Egypt
ity service and support are
the foundations of our suc-
cess,” El-Rahman said.
As the Egyptian economy
of cultural ties, Egypt and
Japan remain strong part-
ners today. Egypt’s busi-
ness community recognizes
Fujitsu Ltd. has played an as an ‘eager- continues to move in the the Fujitsu name as a qual-
important role in the de- right direction, Fujitsu ity brand and an important
velopment of the Egyptian market’ and new Egypt is committed to sup- long-term contributor to
economy.
Working with key indus-
customers are porting the development of
the country’s ICT sector.
the Egyptian economy.
“We see Egypt as an ‘eager-
try players, Fujitsu Egypt
offers a full portfolio of
increasingly “We are proud of our role
in the country’s ongoing
market’ and new customers
are increasingly keen to
ICT products and services keen to work infrastructure and tech- work with us,” concluded
© OKAZ
including data center, sys- nology projects,” said El- El-Rahman. “We will con-
tem integration, network with us.” Rahman. “We partnered tinue to meet our targets
Amani Hamed, Chairperson of OKAZ and security solutions. with the Central Agency and we look forward to con-
Operating in Egypt since AYMAN ABD EL-RAHMAN for Public Mobilization tributing to the future of
achievements while wid- investments and offer at- 1939, Fujitsu Egypt has and Statistics for the first this great country.” 
ening the array of services tractive investment oppor- worked in partnership with Managing Director digital Census in Egypt in www.fujitsu.com
we provide to clients,” said tunities.”  customers in government Fujitsu Egypt 2017. With Egypt’s growing
© SMS
Amani Hamed, OKAZ www.okazinvest.com as well as large, small and population and the creation
chairperson. medium-sized enterprises creation of a networked so- “We are in a position to of newly established cities;
“We cherish the values either directly or through ciety and have built on our deliver both hardware and we are seeing an increase in
that the old market stood its partner network. reputation as a trusted and integration solutions to our demand for our solutions,”
for and will continue to “As the oldest ICT com- valued player,” said Ayman customers across the coun- said El-Rahman.
provide our clients with a pany in Egypt, we have con- Abd El-Rahman, managing try and remain true to our From joint venture proj-
safe environment for their tinuously contributed to the director, Fujitsu Egypt. belief that delivering qual- ects to the strengthening
El-Araby: Contributing to the Egypt-Japan relationship
begin to sell generated electric-
ity under a 20-year contract.
“We construct power plants in
a timely manner and offer the
E l-Araby is one of
the most significant
industrial and com-
mercial corporations in
Egypt and the Middle
with Sharp Corp. and to-
day El-Araby works with
Seiko Watch Corp., Sony
Corp., NEC Corp. and
Hitachi Ltd.
ucts in 22 countries. The
group’s distribution and
service network consists
of over 2,800 sales cen-
ters and more than 180
most advanced technologies,” East. By partnering with In the field of electron- after-sales service loca-
said Koyama. “We have estab- prominent Japanese ics and consumer du- tions.
lished strong political and busi- brands, El-Araby exem- rable goods, El-Araby By expanding its dis-
ness relationships in Egypt and plifies the strength of the aims to become one of tributor network and
have seen the Egypt-Japan re- Egypt-Japan relation- the world’s major inter- maintenance and after-
lationship become more robust ship and is a pillar of the national companies by sale service centres, El-
over the years.” As the chairing Egypt-Japan partnership. focusing on manufactur- Araby intends to better
company for Japan-Egypt Busi- Egypt’s growing middle ing excellence. serve its customers.
ness Council, TTC is continu- class and increasing con- The group’s two indus- Moving forward, El-
© EL-ARABY
ing to contribute to the thriving sumer spending is driv- trial complexes cover Araby intends to play a
© SMS
business relationship between ing the economy. El-Ara- 386,000 square metres. more prominent role in
Tokuji Koyama, General Manager of TTC Cairo Representative Office Egypt and Japan. by distributes electronics The Benha complex, Egyptian society through
“Egypt’s economic growth is and consumer durable Ibrahim El-Araby, Vice established in 1982, in- its education initiatives,
demand for more renewable en- Wind Energy project will im- incredible,” concluded Koyama. goods such as refrigera- President of Elaraby Group cludes three factories while reaching out to
ergy solutions is increasing. prove the country’s ‘energy “Exports are increasing, secu- tors, washing machines, and one subsidized man- key markets across the
“We won the first-ever wind mix.’” Located on the Gulf of El rity is getting better and Egyp- home freezers, water ternational brands have ufacturing plant. The region and contributing
power IPP (independent power Zayt, the site boasts excellent tians are friendly and welcom- heaters, cookers, air con- forged relationships larger Quesna complex to the Egypt-Japan rela-
producer) project in Egypt,” said year-round wind conditions. ing toward foreigners. As we ditioners and air purifi- with El-Araby. Toshiba includes nine factories tionship. 
Tokuji Koyama, general man- Through a consortium, TTC look to the future, we will build ers in Egypt, Africa and Corp. has been El-Ara- and three subsidized www.elarabygroup.com/en/
ager, TTC Cairo Representative will build, own and operate the on our reputation as a strong the Middle East. by’s main commercial manufacturing plants.
Office. 262.5 MW wind power plant. In partner for Egypt.”  Some of the world’s partner since 1974. In Today, El-Araby sells
“The $400 million Ras Ghareb December this year, TTC will www.toyota-tsusho.com/english largest Japanese and in- 2003 the group partnered over 400 different prod-
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