Africa is a dynamic and growing market, one that has steadily drawn the interest of Japanese companies across all major business fields in recent years. As we approach the sixth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD VI) to be held on Aug. 27 and 28 in Nairobi, I would like to use this opportunity to explain how we expect African and Japanese business to grow hand-in-hand, and where my organization, JETRO, fits in.
The Japan External Trade Organization promotes business, specifically two-way trade and investment between Japan and the rest of the world. We have 74 offices abroad, as well as 46 within Japan, including a research institute. Our offices in Africa are located in South Africa, Kenya, Nigeria, Cote d'Ivoire, Ethiopia, Egypt and Morocco.
JETRO Addis Ababa is the seventh office on the continent and it was inaugurated in a splendid ceremony on July 20 in the presence of the Prime Minister of Ethiopia H.E. Hailemariam Desalegn, and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia H.E. Tedros Adhanom. Messages were also delivered from Prime Minister H.E. Shinzo Abe and the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry the Hon. Motoo Hayashi.