[Title] Speech by H.E. Mr. Shinzo Abe, Prime Minister of Japan, at the Mozambique-Japan Investment Forum

Your Excellency Mr. Guebuza, President of the Republic of Mozambique,

Ladies and gentlemen,

I would like to express my sincere appreciation to the considerable number of leaders from the public and private sectors of both Japan and Mozambique who have come together for this Forum today.

Last June, at the Fifth Tokyo International Conference on African Development(“TICAD V”), H.E. President Guebuza placed emphasis on the role of the private sector in creating wealth and employment and alleviating poverty. He also stated that dialogue with Japan’s private sector forms the very heart of cooperation between our two countries.

It is with great pleasure that in response to his valuable observations,

representatives of various quarters of the business community, universities, and medical research institutions in Japan have gathered here today.

Mozambique is a country brimming with dynamism that is now working to

transform itself to lie at the very heart of Japan’s business with Africa.

Mozambique is home to one of the largest natural gas fields in the world and one of the largest coking coal fields in Africa. I am firmly convinced that cooperation between Mozambique, blessed with an abundance of resources, and Japan, with its highly advanced technological capabilities, will without any doubt result in greater wealth for both nations.

Bountiful resources and the wealth that can be acquired through their use are Mozambique’s very own treasure. The benefits must be shared by the Mozambican people and mobilized to engender sustained growth and improvements in the daily lives of the people.

Japan’s public and the private sectors can be of assistance in bringing this about. A good example of this is Mozal, which, through the participation of the Mitsubishi Corporation, has now grown to become the aluminum smelter that is the largest industry in the country.

Mozal has resulted in technical transfers to the smelter site, has generated direct employment for more than one thousand people and indirect employment, including at peripheral industries, for more than ten thousand people, and returns profits to the community through social activities in the local area. This is what happens when Japanese corporations make investments.

Mozambique is able to secure technologies through doing business with Japanese corporations. It promotes the development of industries through its own efforts, and a large number of Mozambicans enjoy the benefits of growth. It is for these reasons that the Government of Japan makes use of ODA and other types of public finance and makes contributions working together with private companies.

First of all, Japan will contribute to human resources development. In order for the people of Mozambique to develop resources, foster industries utilizing those resources, and take environmental countermeasures through their own efforts, Japan will support human resources development for over 300 people in total over the next five years, through the African Business Education Initiative for Youth (the “ABE Initiative”) announced at TICAD V and the “Development Initiative Based on Natural Gas and Coal” announced during this visit.

It is also important that the development of resources does not give rise to

economic disparities among local areas or environmental issues. Japan will provide comprehensive assistance of approximately 70 billion Japanese yen over the next five years, with a view to advancing development centered on the Nacala Corridor region. We will strengthen our support for infrastructure development, including among other areas roads, ports, and electricity, as well as for education, health, and related areas from the viewpoint of human security.

If we combine Mozambique’s own efforts, including further improvements to the investment climate, with the support of Japan’s public and private sectors, we will be certain to build a relationship as partners that contribute to growth in both countries.

Ladies and gentlemen,

At TICAD V, I made an appeal to the Japanese people, saying, “Now is the time to invest in Africa.” The Japanese economy is now experiencing a strong revival. Today, I would like to say to the people of Mozambique and of Africa, “Now is the time to choose Japan as a business partner.”

Just a little while ago President Guebuza graciously sampled some Japanese food. He tried some of Japan’s tasty fruit as well as a little curry with rice. He also tasted the sushi. I believe President Guebuza came to appreciate that Japanese food makes the most of the chef’s skills with mirrored his heart and soul all the time.

Today’s Forum will be a step towards launching a public-private joint dialogue, as President Guebuza and I agreed at today’s summit meeting, and I strongly hope that through a strengthening of our dialogue, the friendship and partnership between our two countries will deepen further.

Thank you very much for your kind attention. Muito obrigado!