Egypt, Japan to boost industrial, transport cooperation, metro train due 2026

Egypt and Japan are stepping up cooperation in manufacturing, skills training and transport infrastructure, Industry and Transport Minister Kamel El-Wazir said on Monday after meeting Japanese Ambassador to Cairo IWAI Fumio.

Talks focused on advancing joint projects, including Phase 1 of Cairo Metro’s Line 4 – a 19-kilometre route from 6th of October City to Fustat with 17 stations – being built with Japan’s Mitsubishi Corp. The company is supplying electromechanical systems, a depot and 23 trains, with the first set to arrive in May 2026.

The two sides also discussed expanding partnerships between El-Araby Group and Japanese home-appliance makers. They also highlighted a protocol between Egypt’s Productivity and Vocational Training Department and the Cabinet’s Education Development Fund, backed by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), to boost technical and technological education. These partnerships aim to produce skilled workers for domestic and international markets, particularly in electronics and green energy.

Minister El-Wazir said Egypt’s automotive manufacturing incentives scheme continues to benefit the state, manufacturers and consumers, and supports global carmakers including Japan’s Nissan.

Egypt is conducting feasibility studies for three additional phases of Line 4, which will extend the network to densely populated districts and link to the Light Rail Transit system and New Capital Airport.

Attribution: Amwal Al Ghad English

Subediting: M. S. Salama

Subediting: Y.Yasser