The head of Egypt's Suez Canal Economic Zone (SCZONE) has begun a promotional tour in Tokyo to attract new investments in industry, clean energy, and logistics, meeting with major Japanese companies and government officials. Waleid Gamal El-Dien, chairperson of the SCZONE General Authority, held a meeting with the Techno Park Division of Japan's Toyota Tsusho Corporation to discuss cooperation in developing industrial zones and logistics services. According to a statement from the authority, the talks explored the possibility of the company establishing a Japanese industrial zone under an industrial developer system. The two sides already cooperate on a roll-on/roll-off (RORO) vehicle terminal, which is expected to open soon at East Port Said port. Gamal El-Dien also met with executives from Zensho Holding Corporation, a major Japanese company in the food manufacturing, supply chain, and restaurant sectors. They discussed opportunities for joint industrial projects in food processing, packaging, and storage within SCZONE's industrial areas. "SCZONE represents an ideal platform for Japanese companies looking for manufacturing and distribution centres that connect Asia, Africa, and Europe," Gamal El-Dien said during the meeting. He later met with officials from the Tokyo government, including Shinichi Tanaka, head of the Bureau of Industrial and Labor Affairs, to discuss cooperation in green hydrogen and low-emission manufacturing. Gamal El-Dien highlighted SCZONE's infrastructure and investment incentives for Japanese companies in this promising field. "Cooperation with the Japanese side in clean energy and sustainable technologies enhances SCZONE's position as a regional platform for future industries and aligns with Egypt's move towards a green transition," he said. The SCZONE chairperson also met with Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike to participate in the opening of the Hydrogen Energy Conference for Action (HENCA 2025). In his address to the conference, he outlined the authority's strategy to localise the green fuel industry, noting that SCZONE includes the "Egypt Green Hydrogen" plant, the first project of its kind in the country. The visit comes at the official invitation of the Tokyo government and aims to strengthen industrial cooperation and attract new investments to the Suez Canal Economic Zone.
