STATEMENT BY HIS EXCELLENCY MR. ESTIFANOSAFEWORKI AMBASSADOR OF THE STATE OF ERITREA TO
JAPAN AT BUISNESS SIDE EVENT OF THE TICAD VIMINISTERIAL MEETING TOKYO OCTOBER 5 2018
(All protocol in order)
Good afternoon,Thank you for the introduction,
It is a great honor for me to address this important meeting aimed at“Leveraging Africa’s business opportunities: A call for the Japanesebusiness sector” on behalf of the African Diplomatic Corps and mycountry Eritrea.
On the onset, I would also like to take the opportunity to express to theMinistry of Foreign Affairs, Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO)and UNDP, my deep-felt gratitude and thanks for the invitation.
Policy dialogue on the TICAD pillars of cooperation has evolved slowly
but surely through the years since its inception in 2003 from humanitarianassistance level – through bilateral and multilateral means – to a newstage of the necessity of establishing concrete mechanism to help make
African countries one of the primary economic, social and culturaldestinations of Japan in the world. I am sure this meeting of today willserve as a vehicle to expose and provide the potential of African countries
to the Japanese and international investors.
The 38 African countries represented here in Tokyo are of the opinion
and are ready to exchange ideas and opinions on ways and means ofcreating a business tie-up - on a continued basis - until TICAD7, which
will be held in Yokohama next year.
At this particular period, a concrete involvement of KEIDAREN andKEIZAY DOYUKAI is necessary, with a view to strengthen strategic
business partnerships towards increased trade and investment between
our countries and Japan, in order to engage the private sector especiallySMEs, with the African Diplomatic Corps here in Tokyo.
I take this opportunity to call upon KEIDANREN and KEIZAYDOYUKAI to establish this linkage with us as soon as possible. We
expect TICAD7 to be a forum to conclude and concretize new business	  1	  tie-ups by our leaders as a result of these prior mutual exercises that weare suggesting to be made here in Tokyo.
The Government of Prime Minister Abe of Japan has applied in TICAD
VI Nairobi Summit several means to encourage the private sector toexpand business in Africa but the outcome - though promising - is still
minimal in volume - given the huge investment and trade opportunities
availed in Africa.
It is also imperative at this time for the private sector of Japan and Africa
to look into existing policies and available instruments of trade andinvestments in terms of building ideal atmosphere (room forimprovement) in the production of goods and services including but not
excluding in stages of production, packing, transportation, market accessto/from African countries and Japan.
On another important note, I would also like to highlight here in thisimportant business meeting 2018 Jeddah Peace and Friendship Treaty
made by Eritrea and Ethiopia.
The strategic importance of the Horn of Africa is significant to Europe,Middle East, United States, Russia, India, China, and Japan and beyond.
The Horn of Africa is a major part of the continent where the great River
Nile flows dotted with civilization centers and tributaries, which predate
mankind modern history, are located. It is facing the Red Sea, Gulf ofAden and the Indian Ocean. It is trade corridor to Europe – Asia andAfrica and home to more than 360 million people. Water, gas, oil, rare
metals, precious metals, base metals, uranium, industrial and agriculturalchemicals, construction materials, skilled youth etc. are the economic
ingredients in clear abundance in this region.
The historic peace treaty entered between Eritrea and Ethiopia is adefinite paradigm shift and change in Africa now. Its impact and dividend
to the economic growth of the Middle East, Horn of Africa, Nile Basincountries and beyond is obvious and historic.
This is an opportune time for FDI, know-how and technology to flow into
this region. Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Somalia, Sudan and South Sudanpeace, stability, prosperity and cooperation are already happening. We
look forward to a concrete participation of the private and public sector ofJapan through the TICAD process in all our endeavors.
Thank you, and best wishes for a successful deliberations	  2