Egypt's Suez Canal Economic Zone (SCZONE) is seeking to expand cooperation with Japanese institutions, African governments and private investors to boost its role as a regional trade and investment hub, its chairman said on Thursday. Speaking at the 4th Japan-Africa High-Quality Infrastructure Conference on the sidelines of the TICAD 9 summit in Yokohama, Chairman Waleid Gamal El-Dien said the zone's location at the crossroads of global shipping routes makes it a strategic destination for investment. He said Egypt is supporting the zone through partnerships with local and international private sector players, adding that high-quality port and industrial infrastructure was central to enhancing competitiveness. Attribution: Amwal Al Ghad English Subediting: Y.Yasser