We already have a RIZ and a CIZ — are we about to get a JIZ? Japanese investors attending the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (Ticad) have been urged to set up an industrial zone in the Suez Canal area, Ahram Online reports. Speaking at the Egyptian-Japanese Business Forum yesterday, deputy chairman of the Egyptian-Japanese Business Council Mohamed Abul Enein said the industrial zone would “bring about a big leap in relations” between the countries, and help Japan penetrate markets in Africa, Europe and the Middle East. The proposal was first floated by a Japanese business delegation during a visit to Cairo in March.

El Sisi meets Abe, JICA boss: President Abdel Fattah El Sisi met yesterday with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on the sidelines of the conference, according to an Ittihadiya statement. The two leaders discussed Japan’s trade with and investments in Africa, including the projects it is financing in Egypt, as well as regional issues. The president also met with Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA) President Shinichi Kitaoka to discuss initiatives to benefit Egypt’s higher education system. JICA has recently stepped up its activity in Egypt, providing finance for a number of projects including the government’s universal healthcare scheme, a solar plant in Hurghada, and an expansion of a children’s hospital in Cairo.

El Sisi gave a speech at the conference about the importance of investing in Africa and driving development and technological advancements throughout the continent. He stressed that developing the content requires working on countries’ infrastructure, capitalizing on the continental freetrade zone, and creating more jobs, particularly for the youth. El Sisi, who is attending the summit both as the president of Egypt and as the chairman of the African Union, also called on international financial institutions to provide sustainable financing to support this development.

Elsewedy, Toyota sign agreement for Zambia solar plant: Separately, Elsewedy Electric and Toyota Tsusho Corporation signed an agreement yesterday to construct two photovoltaic power plants with a combined production capacity of 50 MW in Zambia, according to an Investment Ministry statement. The project, the cost of which was not disclosed, will be financed by the Japan Bank for International Cooperation.

Also at the conference: Investment Minister Sahar Nasr signed an MoU with Japan’s MUFG Bank to encourage investments between Egypt and Japan, according to a ministry statement. The agreement will see the two countries exchange investment and legislative information, in addition to organizing meetings between Egyptian and Japanese businessmen.