Ramaphosa off to Japan to market SA's economy

Cape Town - Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa will visit Japan this month, with the aim of reassuring Japanese investors that SA is open for business and is a stable, vibrant and conducive environment for investment.

The Presidency explained this in a statement, when announcing that Ramaphosa will lead a high-level government and business delegation to Japan from 22 to 25 August and will meet with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

Ramaphosa recently led a similar delegation to China.

The visit would also consolidate political and economic bilateral relations between the two countries, it said.

Ministers Naledi Pandor (Science and Technology), Rob Davies (Trade and Industry), Tina Joemat-Pettersson (Energy) were the key ministers joining Ramaphosa.

“Ramaphosa will seek to tap into the vast Japanese expertise and innovative technologies to increase collaboration in the fields of science and technology with a view to attracting essential skills in support of South Africa's training and human resource development,” the Presidency said.

“South Africa and Japan will explore partnerships to promote innovation and technology to boost economic growth.”

Ramaphosa will also engage Japan on the Tokyo International Conference on African Development partnership by promoting increased trade, investment growth and infrastructure development in the continent of Africa.

Ramaphosa will address the Japanese Captains of Industry, an organisation boosting a membership of about 1 329 representative companies, 109 nation-wide industrial associations and 47 regional economic organisations.
 
He will address the SA Business Forum Plenary, chair a round-table discussion on investment in energy, meet Jetro vice president Tomiyasu Nakamura and visit Toyota in Tokyo, among others.
 
During his visit to Tokyo, Ramaphosa will also hold discussions with Ambassador Yasushi Akashi on peace-building efforts, rehabilitation and reconstruction in Sri Lanka, as he is President Jacob Zuma's Special Envoy to Sri Lanka.

He will also utilise the visit to secure commitments from Japan regarding efforts to combat the scourge of HIV/Aids, TB and Malaria.