🇪🇬EgyptNorth Africa
Egyptian President El-Sisi and Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi discuss bilateral ties and regional stability
via Egypt Today2 min read
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi received a phone call from Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on Tuesday. President El-Sisi congratulated Prime Minister Takaichi on the Liberal Democratic Party's victory in the February 2026 general elections, highlighting Egypt's appreciation for its strategic partnership with Japan. Prime Minister Takaichi expressed her commitment to strengthening this partnership and noted Japan's developmental role in Egyptian national projects. The leaders discussed bilateral relations, with President El-Sisi emphasizing cooperation in education, particularly the expansion of the Egyptian-Japanese Schools project, and Japan's contribution to projects like the Grand Egyptian Museum. President El-Sisi also expressed his hope to welcome the Japanese Prime Minister to Egypt soon to enhance cooperation, investments, and Japanese tourism. The call also covered regional issues, including the Iranian crisis, with both sides agreeing on the need for a peaceful settlement to prevent escalation and negative impacts on the global economy. President El-Sisi reiterated Egypt's support for the security of Gulf States, Iraq, and Jordan, and its efforts in the Gaza Strip ceasefire and humanitarian aid delivery. Prime Minister Takaichi acknowledged Egypt's pivotal role in regional security and stability and affirmed Japan's commitment to political consultation with Egypt on regional and international developments.
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Egypt Today.
UAE-based Alpha Smart has signed a contract to develop an integrated industrial complex in the Sokhna Industrial Zone, with investments estimated at $100 million, equivalent to nearly LE5 billion. The project, expected to attract over $150 million in additional industrial investments, will cover 500,000 square meters and be implemented in two phases. It aims to provide ready-made factories with an integrated industrial ecosystem, enabling companies to begin operations within 90 days. The complex will feature fully equipped industrial units, a logistics zone with warehouses and a global distribution center, administrative and commercial facilities including business hubs and co-working spaces, and a services and leisure zone with a business hotel and international restaurants. SCZONE Chairman Walid Gamal El-Din highlighted Sokhna Industrial Zone's appeal as an industrial and logistics hub due to its integration with Sokhna Port and strategic location. The project seeks to attract various sectors such as engineering, electronics, food processing, packaging, chemicals, automotive components, e-commerce, and logistics. The development will be completed within a maximum of six years, with the first phase focusing on infrastructure and 50% of industrial units, and operations commencing in the second year. The second phase will expand logistics and service facilities. Flexible contracting models, including leasing and commission-based management, will be offered.
Egypt's Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Expatriates Affairs Badr Abdelatty held phone calls on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Jordan Ayman Safadi, Omani Foreign Minister Badr al Busaidi, German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul, and UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper. Discussions focused on regional developments, including US-Iran negotiations. Abdelatty briefed his counterparts on Egypt's recent intensive efforts. The diplomats exchanged views on rapidly evolving regional developments, emphasizing the importance of intensifying efforts to support the US-Iran negotiation track and ongoing endeavors for a political settlement. They stressed adherence to a negotiation-based approach to solidify the ceasefire, end the war, and ease regional tensions. The foreign ministers commended Egypt's constructive role in de-escalating tensions and agreed to maintain coordination and consultations, highlighting diplomatic solutions as the optimal choice for regional security and stability.
Egypt will initiate a comprehensive airborne geophysical survey for minerals in June, marking the first such project since 1984, according to Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources Karim Badawi. Speaking at the OECD Critical Minerals Forum in Istanbul, Badawi detailed Egypt's strategy to enhance its mining sector's contribution to GDP from under 1% to approximately 6%. He emphasized the importance of accurate geological data for attracting investment and accelerating decisions. Badawi highlighted Egypt's rich mineral geology, promising extensions of mineral formations with neighboring countries, and advanced infrastructure as key assets. He also noted the role of diverse energy resources and expanding renewable energy capacity in supporting mining and industrial development. The minister stated that Egypt is updating legislative and contractual frameworks, adopting global best practices, and offering incentives to create a more attractive investment environment. He stressed the need for cooperation among governments, the private sector, and industrial institutions to leverage advanced technologies and artificial intelligence for resource identification, risk reduction, and accelerated exploration. Badawi called for broader collaboration to develop innovative commercial models for large-scale mineral exploitation and support downstream industries.
The Egyptian Red Crescent launched its 184th "Zad Al-Izza..From Egypt to Gaza" convoy on Tuesday, delivering approximately 4,685 tons of humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip. The convoy included about 2,620 tons of food baskets and flour, over 405 tons of medicines, relief supplies, and personal hygiene items, and approximately 1,660 tons of petroleum products for hospitals and vital facilities. Additionally, it carried more than 1,595 blankets and 5,460 pieces of clothing. In parallel, the Egyptian Red Crescent continued its humanitarian services at the Rafah crossing, preparing to receive the 38th group of wounded, sick, and injured Palestinians and their companions. The Red Crescent facilitated crossing procedures, distributed hot meals, provided clothing and personal hygiene items, and distributed "return kits" to those returning to Gaza. The organization has maintained a presence at the border since the crisis began, with the Rafah crossing remaining open from the Egyptian side, and has delivered over 900,000 tons of aid through the efforts of more than 65,000 volunteers.