- August 19, 2025
- Posted by: Ahmed Abed
- Category: EN
SCZONE Chairman meets Sumitomo Corporation to discuss establishing a new industrial zone under the industrial developer model and cooperation in green fuel for ship bunkering
Mr. Waleid Gamal El-Dien, Chairman of the General Authority for the Suez Canal Economic Zone (SCZONE), participated in the 12th session of the Egyptian-Japanese Business Council and the Egyptian-Japanese Investment Forum, held in Tokyo with the presence of H.E. Dr. Mostafa Madbouly, Prime Minister of Egypt, and H.E. Yuichiro Koga, State Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry of Japan, alongside senior officials and representatives of the business community from both countries. The event came within the framework of supporting bilateral economic relations and strengthening joint investment partnerships.
“Egyptian-Japanese relations extend over decades and are characterized by mutual respect and a shared vision for achieving sustainable development. SCZONE, as one of Egypt’s most important national projects launched in 2015, represents an integrated platform for investment, manufacturing, and logistics services, thanks to its unique strategic location on both banks of the Suez Canal, connecting the Red Sea and the Mediterranean and making it a central hub for global trade routes,” Mr. Waleid Gamal El-Dien, Chairman of SCZONE, said during the opening session.
“Our four industrial zones have successfully attracted global investments, and we are targeting 21 industrial sectors, including pharmaceuticals, medical industries, electric batteries, automotive manufacturing, and green industries. SCZONE offers a comprehensive package of financial, customs, and tax incentives, along with integrated infrastructure and fully digitalized services through its one-stop-shop system. SCZONE is not merely an industrial cluster, but a comprehensive development platform that places sustainability at the heart of its strategy by promoting green industries, renewable energy, efficient resource management, and international partnerships to achieve sustainable development goals.” Mr. Waleid Gamal El-Dien, Chairman of SCZONE, added.
In this context, the forum witnessed the signing of two cooperation agreements between SCZONE and its Japanese partners. The first agreement was signed with ITOCHU Corporation and Orascom Construction to design, develop, and operate integrated facilities for supplying ships with ammonia as marine fuel at SCZONE’s ports in Sokhna and East Port Said, contributing to reducing emissions and supporting SCZONE’s orientation toward sustainable energy in the maritime transport sector.
The second agreement was signed with the Tokyo Metropolitan Government (TMG) to cooperate in the field of green hydrogen for ship bunkering, through knowledge and information exchange, demand stimulation, and the promotion of future clean energy applications.
On the sidelines of the forum, Mr. Waleid Gamal El-Dien and the accompanying delegation held a meeting with Sumitomo Corporation, attended by Mr. Shohei Takenouchi, Assistant Head of Global Strategy & Coordination Department – Middle East and Africa Team, along with several business development executives from the company. The meeting included discussions on establishing a new industrial zone under the developer model within SCZONE to serve as a platform for attracting Asian investments, as well as a presentation by the Chairman on SCZONE’s investment incentives and free trade agreements. The talks further explored cooperation in ship bunkering with various fuel types, as well as collaboration in the production of green hydrogen for export, ship bunkering, or use in green industries such as green steel (decarbonization). Additionally, the meeting addressed the possibility of Sumitomo’s participation in infrastructure projects within SCZONE, including water desalination plants, a hydrogen service corridor, and other related projects.
