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Botswana: Japanese Preach 'Cooperation'
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Mmegi/The Reporter (Gaborone)
16 July 2008
Posted to the web 16 July 2008
Bame Piet
The Embassy of Japan was officially opened on Monday evening and the Ambassador Ryoichi Matsuyama restated his government's commitment to help Botswana and Africa for economic growth.
He said because of globalisation, countries are facing challenges which cannot be resolved without cooperating with each other.
"We must therefore work closely, not only bilaterally, but also at a regional and international level to cope with global-scale issues in fields such as peace and security, health related pandemics, climate change and the recent phenomenal hike of energy and food prices," Matsuyama said.
He revealed that through the Tokyo International Conference on Africa's Development (TICAD) co-hosted by the United Nations and The World Bank to empower Africa, the main idea is to share the experience of Asian economic success with African countries. The conference is held every five years since 1993 and was recently held in Yokohama city in Japan.
"I am glad to inform you that the TICAD IV which took place in May ended with great success with the participation of more than 40 heads of states from African countries.
The outcome of TICAD IV was reflected in the discussions at the G8 summit. In order to strengthen the partnership with Africa, Japan decided to double the amount of Official Development Assistance (ODA) in the next five years and announced the establishment of the African Cool Earth Partnership program to help African countries cope with climate change," he announced.
Matsuyama, a former employee of Matsui Corporation for 35 years, said that Japan provided up to four billion US Dollars of soft loans to Africa focusing on the construction of the corridors and network of power supply, and infrastructure. "Finally, but not least, I am quite optimistic with the relationship between Japan and Botswana. We share common ideas on the basic political and economic systems such as democracy, protection of human rights, freedom of expression and free market economy. Japan has had good cooperation with Botswana. One good example is JICA volunteers. Japan dispatched young and senior volunteers in various fields to Botswana," he said.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Phandu Skelemani welcomed the embassy saying it shows the commitment of Japan to strengthen her relations with Botswana.
He said that Botswana has long benefited from technical assistance and the soon -to-be launched metal exploration company - Japan Oil Gas and Metal Corporation (JOGMEC) in Lobatse will benefit Botswana's mining sector in that technology will come to the country.
He also welcomed the recently adopted Yokohama Declaration and Plan of Action at TICAD IV, which outlines implementation of proposed projects for the continent. Japan is the second largest economy and buyer of Botswana diamonds after the United States of America.
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The former President, Festus Mogae, former Minister of Minerals, Energy and Water Resources and businessman, David Magang, government officials, Japanese businessmen, and members of the diplomatic corps attended the event.
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