BITC eyes Japanese capital

MPHO MOKWAPE
Correspondent | Tuesday July 9, 2013 00:00

 

She said the trip was successful, as they have already identified business areas for the two nations to collaborate.The trip follows an official visit by President Ian Khama to Japan in 2010, where he held bilateral talks with the Prime Minister of Japan over matters such as cooperation in the international arena, including trade and investment between the two countries, development of Africa.

Makgato-Malesu explained that the country has in the past had a good measure of success with Japanese investors, a feat helped by the positive image of the country, its high middle income status, security of investors and investment, political and social stability as well as infrastructure developments. She also pointed out that Japanese companies have considered expanding their African businesses to the country and that some companies have previously made direct enquiries with the BITC, the Botswana Embassy in Japan, the Japanese Embassy in Botswana and government ministries about doing business here.

She said Japanese companies' interest areas are mining, especially copper, coal and sulphuric acid, diamond cutting and polishing, jewelry manufacturing, agriculture, waste management and recycling, water treatment, ICT in television programming and power generation and renewable energy.Makgato-Malesu said Japan has enquired about requirements for buying rough diamonds from the country. They also take keen interest in rare metals, copper, iron ore and coal.

She said the latest trip, which also saw one on one meetings on specific areas of interest, site visits and bench marking, included networking and relationship building between the private sectors of the two countries.She revealed that participating government hubs would be charged with coordinating follow-ups to the agreements reached in Japan, with an action plan for implementation already in place.