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Departing Japanese Ambassador, H.E. Mr. Hiroyuki Kishino remarked that Japan’s Official Development Assistance (ODA) to Ethiopia has advanced in quantity and quality during his three-year stay in Ethiopia.
Speaking at a farewell reception organized last Friday, 20 September, 2013, at Hilton Addis, Ambassador Kishino said that Japanese ODA to Ethiopia increased by more than 70% in two years, from 6.8 billion yen (78 million USD) in JFY2010 to 11.7 billion yen (141 million USD) in JFY2012.
His Excellency further talked about Japan’s revision of its ODA policy priorities to align them with the GTP (Growth and Transformation Plan), placing particular emphasis on food security, industrial development, infrastructure development and human resource development.
“Japan’s cooperation with Ethiopia for industrial development is our unique contribution. Through a series of policy dialogue since 2009, we have shared with Ethiopian colleagues our knowledge and experience of industrialization. Now, our focus will be on a strategy and a roadmap to make Ethiopia the leading industrialized country in Sub-Saharan Africa by 2025 in the labor-intensive, light manufacturing sector”, His Excellency said.
Ambassador Kishino added that the kaizen initiatives have been scaled up to cover major regional states, adding that Japan’s program to improve the quality of science and math education at secondary schools has also been strengthened.
His Excellency also noted an increase in the export of Ethiopian coffee and sesame to Japan indicating that exports have outstripped over imports due to robust coffee exports. Meanwhile, one Japanese company is now preparing to establish a factory in Addis Ababa to manufacture leather products for export.
Regarding Japan-Africa relations, His Excellency remarked that 2013 is a special year for both Japan and Africa mentioning TICAD V Meeting as the first Japan co-organized with the AU Commission.
H.E. Ato Tadesse Haile, State Minister of Industry, H.E. Ato Bewnetu Bilat, State Minister of Communications, H.E. Ato Shiferaw Jarso, Advisor of Basin Affairs to the Prime Minister, H.E. Dr. Fasil Nahom, Legal Advisor to the Prime Minister, H.E. Ato Getachew Reda, Advisor for Media-related Affairs to the Prime Minister, members of the diplomatic corps, scholars, business people, friends of Japan and the media all attended H.E. Ambassador Kishino’s farewell reception.
23 September, 2013 |
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