CAIRO: Egyptian Finance Minister Hazem al-Beblawy held a meeting with the Japanese ambassador to Cairo to discuss economic cooperation between the two countries and Japanese aid to Egypt. The Japanese ambassador said the aid offered to Egypt has not been reduced despite the difficult conditions that Japan witnesses currently, which has affected the Japanese budget. The ambassador said that his government decided not to reduce the aid offered to Egypt to express its appreciation of the democratic change process implemented in Egypt. He added that the aid will focus on developing the infrastructure of Egypt's economy and developing industries related to science and technology. He added that trade relations between the two countries have not been affected by Egypt's January 25 Revolution. He said trade increased notably after the revolution. He signaled Japanese tourists will return to Egypt in the near future and called for operating EgyptAir's direct flight between Cairo and Tokyo. For his part, Beblawy, said Egypt is on its way to achieving real democratic change and justice. He said the evidence is that Egypt's former president and his sons are being prosecuted before a civil court. Regarding Egypt's relations with international economic organizations, Beblawy said Egypt is a founding member of the International Monetary Fund and the International Bank, so Egypt has good relations with both of them. He stressed that Egypt is committed to the principles of the free market economy and the rule of law. He added that implementing the free market economy needs a strong government that can provide commodities and public services.
