STATEMENT BY HIDEKI HARASHIMA AMBASSADOR EXTRAORDINARY AND PLENIPOTENTIARY OF JAPAN TO MALAYSIA ON THE OCCASION OF THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE ASIA-AFRICA INVESTMENT AND TECHNOLOGY PROMOTION CENTRE ("HIPPALOS CENTRE")

24TH AUGUST, 1999

Yang Berhomat Dato'Seri Rafidah Aziz,
Her Excellency Minister of International Trade and Industry,
Dr. Maruno, Deputy Director General of UNIDO
Their Excellencies Ambassadors from African and Asian countries,
Distinguished guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

I would like to take this opportunity to express my hearty congratulations on the inauguration of the much-awaited Asia-Africa Investment and Technology Promotion Centre, AAITPC, or "Hippalos Centre." The name Hippalos came from the "Hippalos' wind." It was named after an ancient Greek sailor. According to a navigation book written about 2,000 years ago, the sailor found out the strong wind blowing across the Indian Ocean, and used the wind to sail to the East. We do hope that this centre will further attract Asian attention to Africa, making the Wind blow more strongly between the two regions. It is also noteworthy that the Centre will present another opportunity for Japan and Malaysia to expand their cooperation into global challenges.

The idea of AAITPC was first presented by Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi at the TICADII, the Second Tokyo International Conference on African Development last October. In his address, the Prime Minister stated: "In order to foster the growth of the private sector in Africa, particularly through the promotion of trade with and investment from Asia, Japan will assist in establishing an "African Investment Information Service Centre" in Asian country."

Asia-Africa cooperation was the main theme in the TICAD II. Japan and the co-organizers emphasized that Asian experiences in development will be a useful guide for African development. Moreover, in recent years, attention in Asian countries to Africa has been steadily growing, and so has the economic ties between the two regions. One of the ideas behind the establishment of this centre was to encourage flows of capitals, technologies and expertise between the two regions by liking interests and needs on both sides.

UNIDO has gained numerous experiences in the field of investment promotion. Therefore, I hope that UNIDO will make most of its knowledge and expertise to fulfill goals of the Centre.

Investments in foreign countries always require serious considerations for businessmen, and I do not expect that the investment from Asia to Africa will be easily promoted, especially under the current economic situations. However, I heard that "Hippalos Centre" activities will not be limited to its web site, but will include investment seminars, training for officials of investment promotion centres in African countries and capacity building for investment promotion. With these activities, the basis for understanding between the two regions will be surely broadened, and trade, investment and technology transfer will be enhanced, and we can certainly expect tangible results.

Japan hopes that this project will be able to meet the strong expectations of African countries. Japan will assist the activities of the centre, so that the name of the "Hippalos Centre" will be known to the world.

Lastly, I would like to briefly mention other upcoming events for the South-South cooperation which will be jointly organized by Japan and Malaysia. Also as follow-up of the TICAD II, the "Asia-Africa Business Forum" and the "Third Asia-Africa Forum" will be held in October and November. I sincerely hope that various efforts like these will bear fruit and bring the two regions closer ever. Thank you for your attention.