"The World and Japan" Database (Project Leader: TANAKA Akihiko)
Database of Japanese Politics and International Relations
National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies (GRIPS); Institute for Advanced Studies on Asia (IASA), The University of Tokyo

[Title] Opening Remarks by Foreign Minister Nobutaka MACHIMURA at the TICAD Asia-Africa Trade and Investment Conference Reception (TICAD-AATIC)

[Place] Tokyo
[Date] November 1, 2004
[Source] Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan
[Notes] provisional translation
[Full text]

Distinguished guests,

As the Japanese Foreign Minister, I am co-hosting tonight's reception with Mr. Shoichi Nakagawa, the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry. I thank all of you for participating not only from Africa and Asia, but also from all over the world at tonight's reception.

As you are aware, TICAD has served as "the marketplace" where stakeholders in African development gather and exchange experiences and ideas. It has also provided various means of promoting trade and investment between Africa and Asia. It has, for example, organized fora for business people to actually meet and discuss business and disseminated information through internet for the promotion of trade and investment. We are planning to make use of videoconference for the dialogue between public and private sectors. Today, we have connected this reception venue with Ethiopia and South Africa through the videoconference system. Shortly after, we will hear a message from Mr. Alpha Oumar Konare, the chairperson of the Commission of the African Union. TICAD aims to promote trade and investment by incorporating different means of cooperation between public and private sectors of Africa and Asia.

I was told that participants had discussions in depth today. I hope you would relax and enjoy the food and conversation with your colleagues and friends tonight. It is my wish that at this reception tonight, more new partnership will be forged. Thank you.

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