The Africa-Japan Business Investment Forum, which has been developed to strengthen business ties between Japanese and African business leaders, will be opened by HE Ato Hailemariam Desalegn, Prime Minister of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia.
The organizers said this summit recognizes the strategic importance Japan places on Africa. Japan is now the most active Asian project financier in Africa, seeing an increase of 576% over the last 5 years and investing almost three times as much as China. Add to this the large and growing consumer market; Africa is a continent that has much to offer to Japan, and vice versa.
Speaking ahead of the Forum, Omar Ben Yedder, the Conference co-convenor, CEO and Publisher of African Business Magazine said that this Forum comes at a time when Kenya has expressed an interest in hosting the 6th TICAD Summit in 2016. “This would be the first time that the Conference is being held in Africa, demonstrating Japan’s genuine desire to foster high-level policy dialogue amongst African leaders and development partners.”
The event is timely and relevant as during last year’s State visit to Ethiopia, Cote d’Ivoire and Mozambique, Prime Minister Abe reiterated that Japanese cooperation with Africa was one of equals and that Japanese aid was designed to create jobs and transfer technologies.
Japan’s engagement with Africa’s development began in earnest in 1993 when the first TICAD was launched in Japan. Since then, five such conferences have been held in Japan. The country has remained a steadfast partner for Africa, extending the relationship beyond development assistance to investment.
TICAD is now regarded as Japan’s strongest indication yet of its long-term commitment to fostering peace and stability in Africa through collaboration and partnership. Trade between Japan and Africa currently stands at $25billion.
Nikkei BP will bring together a high-level delegation of Japanese business leaders and investors from a number of key industries including trading, construction, energy, technology, agribusiness and financial services.
Kohei Osada, President and CEO of Nikkei BP said that this forum follows the successful Japan-Africa Business Investment Forum that took place in Tokyo last year. “This forum will be held in Africa to keep continuous business matching opportunities between Africa and Japan, preparing for TICAD VI, next year. I am certain that this important business meeting will present an important platform on which to build new partnerships and new relationships”.
Over 350 guests are expected to attend the Africa-Japan Business Investment Forum, including Heads of State, government officials, business leaders, funding agencies and potential investors. Africa’s private sector will be represented at a CEO or senior C-suite level from the following industries: financial services; manufacturing; agribusiness; construction; energy; technology; fast moving consumer goods; and investment promotion.
[WaltaInformationCenter]