Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn met with Mr. Yutaka Kase, the Chairman of Japan's private business association (KEIDANREN) and Chairman of the association's committee for sub-Saharan Africa. On the occasion, the Prime Minister noted Ethiopia's continuing commitment to the development of its private sector and highlighted the important role it would play in the overall development of the country. He said "we believe that comprehensive development cannot happen without greater private sector involvement" and "we are committed to supporting the private sector's activities in our development initiatives. Prime Minister Hailemariam also reiterated that the country's investment regime is conducive to foreign investment and assured the delegation that the government will work towards refining protocols in line with global standards and the demands of Japanese investors. Mr. Kase highlighted the fact that Japan's commitment to Africa was unwavering and expressed the association's readiness to support the Ethiopian investment seminar set to be held on the margins of the TICAD Heads of State meeting in June 2013.