Cairo: Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouli said that the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) is a symbol of the strong cultural partnership between Egypt and Japan, and a source of pride for the Egyptian people. Madbouli thanked Japan and the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA) for their support in building and operating the museum, as well as for preserving Egypt's ancient heritage.

According to State Information Service Egypt, these remarks came during the PM's meeting with JICA President Akihiko Tanaka, who is visiting Egypt to attend the museum's opening. Madbouli praised the long-standing relationship between Egypt and Japan, which began in 1954, and noted JICA's vital role in supporting Egypt's development in transport, education, health, and infrastructure.

The Prime Minister mentioned several joint projects, including the Cairo Metro, the Grand Egyptian Museum, the Egypt-Japan University of Science and Technology, the Cairo Opera House, and the Children's Hospital at Cairo University. He also praised Japan's support for education in Egypt, especially through Egyptian-Japanese schools, which he said represent a successful model that Egypt seeks to expand.

Tanaka expressed his pleasure at attending the museum's inauguration, stating that the event would open new opportunities for cooperation-including in civil aviation and airport development-as Egypt anticipates an influx of tourists following the museum's opening. Additionally, Madbouli affirmed that Egypt looks forward to expanding cooperation with Japan in education, research, and training programs for Arab and African countries through the Egyptian Agency of Partnership for Development.

For her part, Minister of Planning, Economic Development and International Cooperation Rania Mashat stated that JICA's support has helped fund major national projects that improved services and living standards for Egyptians.