Africa

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe who is visiting Nairobi, the Republic of Kenya, to attend the Sixth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD VI), attended Plenary Session 2 (Dialogue with the Private Sector), commencing at 9:00 a.m. (local time; 3:00 p.m. Japan time) on Sunday, August 28. The overview is as follows.

1 At Plenary Session 2, initiatives for encouraging private-sector companies to establish businesses in Africa were discussed. Prime Minister Abe stated that private-sector companies have a decisive role to play in realizing high-grade economic growth in Africa, noted that there are growing business opportunities for Japanese companies in countries in Africa, and explained that the Government of Japan will promote negotiations on investment agreements and tax agreements and set up the Japan-Africa Public-Private Economic Forum in order to support private-sector companies in establishing businesses in Africa. 

• Speech by Prime Minister Abe at the Second Plenary Session of the TICAD VI (English (PDF)  /  French (PDF))

2 In addition, Prime Minister Abe explained that in order for Africa to manifest its strong potential and maintain economic growth, Africa itself is being counted on to strive to be an appealing investment destination that meets private-sector companies' expectations, and he hopes that Africa will 1) ensure peace and stability, as top priority issues for Japanese companies undertaking business activities, and develop a safe business environment; 2) abolish excessive regulations, prepare the necessary legal systems and manage them steadily; and 3) achieve the smooth entry and exit of people and goods.

3 Following that, representatives of the Japanese business community such as Mr. Sadayuki Sakakibara, Chairman of Keidanren (Japan Business Federation) introduced initiatives for African development that utilize Japanese companies' expertise and technologies, and along with that, African leaders and representatives of Africa's business community appreciated the contributions of Japanese companies and expressed expectations of further investment promotion.