Japanese companies are showing growing interest to explore business opportunities in Ethiopia and the recent Ethio-Japan Trade and Investment Symposium was useful in that regard, Ambassador Shibata Hironori said.
The Japanese Ambassador said that the two countries have a very long relationship on a wide range of issues, including economic development, and political and cultural exchanges.
The Ethio-Japan Trade and Investment Symposium, which brought together Japanese companies from diverse areas to explore business opportunities in Ethiopia, yesterday is a manifestation of the forging of economic ties between the two countries, he stated. Currently, 14 Japanese companies have invested in Ethiopia.
“We want to focus on economic issues, particularly on investment and trade,” the ambassador stressed.
According to Ambassador Hironori, Japanese companies often lack information about business opportunities in Ethiopia.
Therefore, events such as this symposium are important for understanding the country’s reforms and business environment.
“Many Japanese companies are interested in doing business with Ethiopian companies and making investments in this country. However Japanese companies do not have so much information about Ethiopia. So I think the event was very meaningful and useful for Japanese companies to get to know what’s going on in Ethiopia.”
He believes that the visit of Japanese companies could create diverse areas of cooperation.
This event, combined with Ethiopia’s improved business environment, is crucial for both Ethiopia and foreign companies, including Japanese, to explore business opportunities.
Ambassador Hironor finally pointed out that the investment environment has much improved in comparison to, say, two to three years or four years ago.
“So, I think this year is very important here for Ethiopia and not only to Ethiopia but also to foreign companies to look for a chance to invest,” said the Ambassador as quoted by ENA.
Source: ENA
