CAIRO, Oct 3, 2018 (MENA) - Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukri heads for Tokyo on Wednesday on a visit to Japan where he will discuss with his counterpart means of promoting bilateral cooperation and regional issues of mutual concern. Minister Shoukri will also take part in the ministerial meeting of the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD), slated for October 6-7. The conference aims at enhancing cooperation between Japan and Africa and supporting comprehensive development efforts in the continent. Shoukri's visit to Japan reflects profound and historical relations between the two countries which date back to the 19th century, Foreign Ministry Spokesman Ahmed Hafez said on Wednesday. The political leadership in both nations are keen on promoting bilateral relations in all domains, he said, referring to the visit Prime Minister Shinzō Abe paid to Cairo in January 2015 and the visit President Abdel Fattah El Sisi made to Japan in February-March 2016. The TICAD meeting will tackle demographic challenges and their impact on the economy as well as trade and investment and the effects of establishing a continental free trade zone, he said. The participants will also discuss ways to develop the private sector and small and medium-sized enterprises, he added.
