Egyptian Minister of Culture Ahmed Fouad Heno, Minister of Planning, Economic Development and International Cooperation Rania al-Mashat, and Japanese Ambassador to Egypt Fumio Iwai signed on Sunday an executive agreement for the grant project to improve the equipment of the Cairo Opera House.
The grant is worth 180 million yen, or about US$ 1.17 million.
The signing was attended by the head of the Cairo Opera House Lamia Zayed and the chief representative of the Japan International Cooperation Agency’s office in Egypt Kato Ken.
The agreement aims to improve the infrastructure of the Cairo Opera House and raise the efficiency of its theaters by developing devices and equipment, improving services, and developing the viewing hall of the Grand Theater.
The Minister of Culture stressed that the Japanese grant agreement for the project aims to improve the equipment of the Cairo Opera House, enhance the cultural scene in Egypt, and provide an environment that supports innovation and artistic expression.
“The Opera House is a beacon of artistic excellence, a platform for local and international artists, and in addition to its role as a national cultural center, it is a symbol of the deep cultural ties between Egypt and Japan. The grant is a testament to the ongoing collaboration between Egypt and its partners, whose support is vital to the success of this endeavor,” Heno added.
“The project contributes to preserving our rich cultural heritage, while embracing the future with modern tools and technologies that support innovation in the arts,” he added, stressing the continuation of promoting a thriving cultural system that not only celebrates the past, but also looks to the future with hope and determination.
A new milestone in Egypt-Japan relations
The Minister of Planning, Economic Development and International Cooperation stressed that the agreement is a new milestone in the historical partnership with Japan, which is witnessing diversity in areas of cooperation, embodied in tangible achievements across various sectors.
Mashat added that the “Egyptian-Japanese Cooperation Portfolio” highlights this integration between “Egypt Vision 2030” and the “Government Action Program (2024-2027)” with Japanese development priorities, stressing that over seven decades, Japan has provided exceptional support to Egypt through development cooperation efforts.
She added that the Ministry of Planning has worked diligently to strengthen this partnership and expand its horizons.
Signing the agreement is not just a step to preserve the status of the Opera House, the minister said, but rather celebrates a rich legacy of cooperation spanning more than 70 years in order to create a future in which culture and arts flourish, so that Japan remains a close partner in Egypt’s development journey.
The Japanese Ambassador to Cairo said that the agreement is a continuation of the Japanese government’s efforts to develop the Cairo Opera House, deepen Egyptian-Japanese relations, and enhance the strategic partnership between the two countries in various development sectors.
The representative of the JICA, Kato Ken, expressed his happiness at signing the agreement, which is a testament to the lasting bonds between the two countries.
Edited translation from Al-Masry Al-Youm
