Summary of the Joint Mission for Promoting Trade and Investment for Africa (The Central and West Mission)

October 8, 2008

The following is the summary of the Joint Mission for Promoting Trade and Investment for Africa (The Central and West Mission). The Mission, headed by Mr. Yasutoshi Nishimura, Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs, visited the Central and West African region from mid- to late September.

This Mission, announced by the then Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda at the opening ceremony of TICAD IV in May, is the first major event to follow up the assistance measures that were announced at TICAD IV. This mission aims at promoting trade and investment to boost economic growth in Africa (Prime Minister Fukuda pledged to provide assistance for doubling private investment in Africa by 2012 and to double Japan’s Official Development Assistance (ODA) for Africa by 2012). The Central and (August 30 - September 9) and the East Mission (September 9 -19).

Dates

September 13, 2008 (Sat)-September 25, 2008 (Thu)

Countries visited

Nigeria, Ghana, Senegal, and Cameroon (in the order of being visited)

Participants (51 members in total)

Mr. Yasutoshi Nishimura, Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs (Head of Mission) (in Nigeria, Ghana, and Senegal only)
Mr. Yasuyuki Fujishima, Executive Vice-President, Sojitz Corporation (sub-delegate) (in Nigeria, Ghana, and Senegal only)
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry; Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, Agency for Natural Resources and Energy; four government-related organizations (JICA, JBIC, JETRO, JOGMEC)
19 private companies (ITOCHU Corporation; LNG Japan Corporation; International Development Institute; Komatsu Ltd.; Sharp Corporation; Sumitomo Chemical, Co., Ltd; Sumitomo Corporation; Sojitz Corporation; Chiyoda Corporation; Toyota Tsusho Corporation; JGC Corporation, Nigeria; NEC Corporation; Hitachi Construction Machinery Co., Ltd; Marubeni Corporation; Marubeni Engineering (West Africa) Limited; MITSUI & CO. FRANCE S. A. S.; Mitsubishi Corporation; Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ; MoMoAlliance Co., Ltd. )
International organizations (United Nations Industrial Development Organization Investment & Technology Promotion Office, Tokyo)

Achievement

(1) Strengthened relations by direct dialog with the leaders, ministers and private business representatives of the countries that the Mission visited

In the countries the Mission visited, a total of 19 meetings were held with political leaders including Presidents and cabinet ministers. Personal letters from Prime Minister Fukuda were handed by Mr. Nishimura, Head of Mission (in Cameroon, the letter was handed by Acting Head of Mission).
Especially, Japanese companies exchanged opinions directly with high-level government officials in each country and built networks for the expansion of bilateral trade and investment.
The members of the Mission shared the strong desire showed by each African government to expand trade and investment with Japan in hopes of realizing economic growth in their country and overcoming poverty and other problems.
Natural resources such as oil and gas give these countries high potential for development. The Mission agreed with these countries on aiming to start policy dialog and to establish comprehensive cooperative relations in the energy field.
Mission members acknowledged that the countries in central and western Africa enjoyed political and economic stability and they had maintained close relations with Japan especially through economic cooperation. They also recognized that such factors as potential natural resources, expanding markets, abundant work force and geographical proximity to Europe and the U.S. would contribute to expand business opportunity in the future.

(2) Strengthening of the business network through trade and investment seminars and others

Business seminars were held in each country visited, with the participation of high-level government officials including ministers, and local private-sector companies. Each country made presentations on its economic situation including the trade and investment environment, and actively exchanged opinions with the Mission. Japanese companies deepened their understanding of the politics, economy and market conditions in the countries visited, and local companies, too, understood where the interest of the Japanese companies lay. Some Japanese companies achieved concrete results leading to actual cases of business development and investment. -Eyeing future business development in the central and western African region, the Mission exchanged views with Japanese companies which have already advanced into the region and are actively conducting business. The Mission also visited major ports with high potentiality for development and factories of major industries.

(3) Economic cooperation

The Mission pledged to provide steady cooperation such as improvement of infrastructure by economic cooperation, as a follow-up of TICAD IV. Each country expressed its gratitude for Japan’s cooperation and expectations for the future expansion of cooperation. In view of coordinating the ODA and economic activities of the business community, the Mission visited places where Japan’s economic cooperation projects were implemented in each country.

(4) Overall evaluation

The participants in the Mission spent 13 long days together, exchanging information on business in Africa and discussing business coordination between themselves. The dispatch of the Mission offered a valuable opportunity for an exchange of views between the Japanese government officials and the Japanese business community members including those based in Africa.
Throughout the formulation of the Mission’s programme, the governments of the countries visited were very cooperative, as they wanted to show how attractive their countries are. The fact that a large number of government leaders spared time for the Mission clearly shows their enthusiasm. As a result, the visits were significant and fulfilling. The ambassadors from Senegal to Tokyo had returned to their home countries to assist the Mission in person.
The dispatch of the Mission was reported widely on TV, magazines, newspapers and other media of the countries visited, which helped to publicize Japan’s efforts for those countries to their nationals.

Outline of activities in each country

1.Republic of Nigeria (September 14-16)

(1) Major events

(a) Talks with government leaders

Mr. Goodluck Jonathan, Vice President; Mr.Taminu Yakubu , Chief Economic Advisor to the President; Mr. Tijani Yahaya Kaura, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs; Mr. Henry Odin Ajumogobia, Minister of State for Energy (Petroleum); Mr. Tunde Emmanuel Odesina, Minister of State for Energy (Gas); Ms. Fatima Balaraba Ibrahim, Minister of State for Energy (Power); Mr. Umaru Yar’Adua, President of Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation; Mr.Mustafa Bello, President, Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC); and others.

(b) Exchange of views with business circles

On September 15, NIPC hoseted Japan-Nigeria Business Forum. From Nigeria, Mr.Alhaji Hammed Garba Bichi, Minister of State for Commerce and Industry, Mr. Kayode Adetokunbo Adeyinka, Minister for Culture and Tourism, Mr. Deziani Alison Madueke, Minister for Transport; Mr. John Ogar Odey, Minister of Information & Communication; and also Director-General, Small and Medium Enterprises Agency; Director-General, the Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority; acting Director-General, the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency; Director-General, the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture; and others attended the Forum. The total number of the attendants was as many as about 300, including representatives of Nigerian companies. At the Forum, presentations were made on the present situation of the different economic fields of Nigeria while Japanese and Nigerian participants exchanged opinions. After that, the NIPC hosted a luncheon, where participating companies exchanged views among themselves.

On September 14, the Mission visited an oil refinery which was constructed with Japan’s economic cooperation in the 1980s. The Mission also paid a visit to the local Peugeot factory.

(2) Achievements

(a) Sojitz Corporation concluded a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on gas pipeline cooperation with the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC). The company intends to go into the upstream sector in the future.

(b) NNPC and the Japan Oil, Gas and Metals National Corporation (JOGMEC) agreed that they would build comprehensive cooperative relations in terms of the oil, gas and LNG business.

(c) Mr. Nishimura, Head of the Mission, expressed Japan’s intention to strengthen assistance that could contribute to Nigeria’s economic development, eying the possible resumption of Yen loans in the future.

(d) Sumitomo Chemical decided to conduct an investigation to find a good location for a factory to produce Sumitomo Chemical’s Olyset Nets, bed nets with insecticide incorporated fibers to prevent malaria.

(e) The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) Investment & Technology Promotion Office, Tokyo, which is subsidized 100% by the Government of Japan, expressed its intention to invite to Japan Nigeria’s officials in charge of investment promotion.

2.Republic of Ghana (September 16-September 17)

(1) Main Events

(a) Talks with Government Leaders

Mr. Alhaji Aliu Mahama, Vice-President of the Republic of Ghana; Mr. Ansony Akoto,Mr. Ossei, Minister of Finance and Economic Planning; Mr. Felix Owusu –Adjanpong, Minister of Energy;Dr. Charles Brempong Yeboah, Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs; Ms. Gifty Ohene-Konadu, Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry, and others.
On the morning of September 17, the Mission paid a courtesy call on Vice-President Mahama (Mr. John Kufuor, the President of the Republic of Ghana, was away on a business trip to the United States.), and each member of the Mission had an opportunity to speak directly to Mr. Mahama. In the afternoon, the Mission had a joint meeting with Ministry officials of related sectors. In the meeting, the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC) made a presentation, and then the Mission had a meeting with Mr. Felix Owusu-Adjanpong,, Energy Minister.

(b) Exchange of views with Business Circles

On the morning of September 17, the Mission and Ghanaian private companies had a breakfast meeting hosted by the Government of Ghana. On the Ghanaian side, in the presence of Dr. Charles Brempong Yeboah, Foreign Vice-Minister, and Mr. Ohene-Konadu, Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry; private-sector groups and companies of Ghana attended the meeting and deepened exchange between the private companies. Participants exchanged views after a presentation by the Ghana Investment Promotion Center (GIPC), and the Ghanaian side gave a detailed briefing on the investment environment in the country.

On the afternoon of September 17, the Mission visited Tema Harbour, the largest commercial port in Ghana, whose construction was assisted by Japan as part of its economic cooperation, and also visited Tema Oil Refinery Ltd. This visit was realized based on Ghana’s proposal that the Mission should visit a site where they can envisage an actual investment even when their visit to the country lasted only one day.

(2) Achievements

(a) Both sides agreed to start comprehensive policy dialogues in the field of energy, including on petroleum and gas projects (especially associated gas) and electricity development, bearing in mind the possibility of related interests of the Japanese companies. In the future, specialists will be sent from Japan to hold negotiations.

(b) The Japanese companies expressed interest in developing bauxite and securing related rights and interests .

(c) Mr. Nishimura, Head of Mission said that cooperation contributing to the economic development of Ghana would be strengthened, while considering the resumption of yen loans in future.

(d) For offshore energy development in Ghana, MODEC, Inc. received an order from Tullow Ghana, the local subsidiary of the British Tullow Oil Plc., for FPSO (Floating Production, Storage and Offloading System). The operations will be done by a related company in which Mitsui Group will invest, and local content will be used to a maximum extent possible. Measures to foster local small and medium enterprises will also be considered.

(e) Marubeni Corporation expressed its intention to consider reopening its branch office in the future.

(f) UNIDO ITPO Tokyo expressed its intention to invite to Japan Ghana’s officials in charge of investment promotion to Japan.

3.The Republic of Senegal (September 18-September 20)

(1) Main Events

(a) Talks with Government Leaders

Mr. Abdoulaye Wade, President; Mr. Samuel Ameth Sarr, Minister of Energy, Mr. Habib Sy, Minister of Infrastructure, Land and Air Transportation; Mr. Amadou Saidu Ba, Vice President, the Investment Promotion and Major Project Agency (APIX).

(b) Exchange of Views with Business Circles

On September 18, a briefing on investment promotion measures, hosted by APIX, was held. Joint interviews with private-sector companies of Senegal were hosted by the Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture of Senegal.

On September 19, the Mission visited the sites of the “Cyber Hut,” proposed by President Wade himself, and the “Revetment Project to Prevent Coastal Erosion,” and of the expressway construction.
On September 20, the Mission visited the Japan-Senegal Center for Professional Training (CFPT), constructed with Japan’s economic cooperation.

(2) Achievements

(a) The Senegalese side expressed readiness to offer support to the Japanese companies when they participate in investigation and drilling for petroleum, gas and mineral resources. JOGMEC and PETROSEN decided to start exchange of views at an early date. The Senegalese side also expressed hope for cooperation from the Japanese side in oil refining.

(b) The Senegalese side expressed its hope for Japanese companies’ participation in the construction of new airports, new harbors, free trade zones and express highways. In response, the Japanese side explained the business practices of the Japanese companies, which carry out environment measures, security measures, technology transfer and human resource training. It was agreed that the APIX and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and other organizations would discuss more in depth, and the organizations concerned would study the possibilities of involvement including the utilization of yen loans.

(c) The Senegalese side requested the Japanese side to continue and strengthen assistance to its rural regions, including the “GOANA” project promoted by the President to increase food production. The Japanese side expressed its intention to continue and strengthen related cooperation through JICA (including doubling the number of JICA specialists to be dispatched to rural villages). In the rural sector, the following points werediscussed.

(i) UNIDO ITPO Tokyo expressed readiness to offer technical cooperation for promoting the use of jatrofa (jatrofa curcas: plant resource for bio diesel).

(ii) The Senegalese side expressed its hope for Japanese cooperation for the promotion of the Eco Village Program (it was agreed to study, in particular, the possibility of cooperation by Japanese private companies for setting up solar panels).

(d) In addition, the Senegalese side expressed its expectation for Japanese assistance in the fields of education and training, health and sanitation, culture, information and communications and the environment (especially for the construction of “Cyber Hut” proposed and promoted by President Wade himself, kindergartens, bulwark against coastal erosion and the “Green Great Wall” project, etc.).

(e) UNIDO ITPO Tokyo expressed its intention to invite to Japan APIX staff members in charge of investment promotion.

(f) MomoAlliance (a venture company in Okayama City) has decided to tie up with the local company for the production and sales of LED electric bulbs (which will contribute to reducing power consumption, CO2 and waste materials).

4.The Republic of Côte d’Ivoire (September 20)

In order to exchange views with the business community of the Côte d’Ivoire, Ambassador Okamura hosted a reception at his official residence, inviting about fifty persons (Due to a flight delay of about four hours, the Mission was not able to participate in the reception.) While regretting they could not meet the Mission members, many of the participants spoke of their expectation of more active trade and investment between Côte d’Ivoire and Japan.

5.Republic of Cameroon (from September 21-23)

(1) Main Events

(a) Talks with Government Leaders

Mr. Ephraim Inoni, Prime Minister, Mr.Yaouba Abdoulaye , Delegate Miniter in charge of Economy, Planning and Regional Development, Mr.Joseph Ndion Ngute , Delegate Minister in charge of External Relations, Mr. Gentry Fuh Calistus , Secretary of State in charge of Industry, Mines and Technological Development and Mr.Diabelle Mangoleon, Secretary General of Ministry of Commerce. *.

(b) Exchange of Views with Business Circles

On September 22, a seminar on trade and investment with Cameroon private enterprises was hosted by the Cameroon Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Crafts (CCIMA) in Douala, the country’s major commercial city. More than fifty persons from the Cameroon private sector participated in the seminar. The participants exchanged views after a presentation by the CCIMA. This was followed by a lunch meeting hosted by the CCIMA in which individual talks were held between private enterprises of Japan and Cameroon.
On September 23, the Mission visited SNH (the National Oil and Gas Company) and CamIron, an Australian company developing iron ore, in Cameroon’s capital, Yaounde, to exchange views.

On September 22, the Mission visited the port of Douala, which is the largest commercial port in Cameroon and was once assisted by a Japanese yen loan. Cameroon’s major export products such as timber and fruits are shipped from Douala port. The Mission was briefed by the Douala International Terminal about the situation of the terminal and an expansion plan. On the same day, the Mission also visited a plantation of bananas, palm oil and rubber managed by the Cameroon Development Cooperation (CDC).

(2) Achievements

(a) Sojitz Cooperation declared it was considering participating in the development of iron ore.

(b) The Cameroon side expressed its wish to use Japan’s know-how on the photovoltaic generation for the plan to electrify Cameroon.

(c) The Cameroon side expressed its expectation for Japanese enterprises to participate in the development of petroleum under Bakassi island (adjoining Nigeria). It was decided to explore the possibility for a geological survey by the JOGMEC.

(END)

Back to Index