SA, Japan to explore trade and investment

Monday, February 15, 2016

Pretoria - Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa will tomorrow meet with the Japan business federation, Keidanren, in Cape Town.

Keidanren (abbreviation of Keizai Dantai Rengōkai or the Federation of Economic Organizations in English) is Japan's most influential business federation, representing the top Japanese multinational companies with the highest volumes of global business.

“Tomorrow’s breakfast meeting will explore how investment and trade between South Africa and Japan can contribute to key objectives such as job creation, industrial development, human resource development and innovation as part of implementing South Africa's National Development Plan.

“In addition to the breakfast meeting, Keidanren will also engage with Business Leadership South Africa (BLSA) and Black Business Council (BCC) within the framework of the Japan-South Africa Business Forum,” said the Presidency.

The federation has been in South Africa from Sunday and its visit will last until Wednesday, according to the Presidency.

The Presidency said the meeting follows a working visit by Deputy President Ramaphosa to Japan in August 2015.

“During his engagements in Japan in 2015, Deputy President Ramaphosa expressed South Africa's appreciation for the sound political and economic relations between the two countries and invited Japanese businesses to explore opportunities presented by the National Development Plan's ambitious programme for fundamental economic and social transformation.

“During the working visit, Deputy President also welcomed Japan's continued support for human resource development in South Africa through an extensive exchange programme that allows youth South African professionals to study in Japan,” said the Presidency. - SAnews.gov.za