Benin National Day Working Toward Stable Democracy and Strong Economic Future
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Benin national day Working toward stable democracy and strong economic future Zomahoun D.C. Rufin grams and projects, my country, tinue gaining firsthand knowl- and harbors. AMBS AS ADOR OF BENIN Benin, knows it can count on edge and understanding of the Japan and many other Asia Pa- situation on the ground to help Investors welcome Located in cific countries. formulate appropriate respons- The Japanese government alone West Africa, Indeed, the good cooperative es to our country’s development cannot fully bear the burden of Benin Repub- relations, which have existed so needs. reconstruction of the Benin Re- lic celebrates happily between Japan and Let me take this opportunity public and provide for the needs today, Aug. 1, Benin since the establishment to note my appreciation for the and aspirations of the people of its 55th inde- of diplomatic relations in 1961, technical assistance provided Benin. The private sector such pendence an- are the result of constructive po- through the Japan International as Keidanren and JETRO and niversary. On litical dialogue established be- Cooperation Agency (JICA); the civil society, including NPOs this unique tween the highest authorities of action of Japan Overseas Coop- and NGOs, at large are urged to occasion, on behalf of H.E. Pres- our two countries, namely Pres- eration Volunteers (JOCV); the increasingly invest their enor- ident Yayi Boni Thomas, his gov- ident Yayi Boni and Prime Min- dynamic Beninese NGOs such mous material resources and ernment and the people of the ister Abe. as the IFE Foundation, through expertise in Benin’s market, Cotonou in the southeast of Benin is the country’s largest city, Benin Republic, I consider this It is glorifying that these re- which Japanese volunteers go to which is the gateway of the Eco- a transport hub and a gateway to a market of 350 million in a special opportunity to send out forms and policies have begun Benin; and the Takeshi Japanese nomic Community of West Af- West Africa. EMBASSY OF BENIN a message of goodwill to Their to bear tangible fruit in reposi- Language School (the only Jap- rican States (ECOWAS) and its Imperial Majesties Emperor tioning the economy and Benin anese language school free of 350 million consumers. ECOWAS (350 million consum- Japanese tourists are warmly Akihito and Empress Michiko, has become one of the preferred charge in Africa) to teach Afri- Benin is awaiting Japanese ers) mentioned above. Given welcomed in Benin’s south to H.E. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, destinations for foreign direct can people and all the foreigners investors in all fields from agro- Benin’s economic potential and visit sites such as UNESCO the government and to all those investment in Africa. The results in Benin Japanese language, industry to tertiary services. its human resources, I am con- World Heritage site, the Gate of who are devoting themselves to of these reforms have quickly culture and history. It is therefore clearly in the in- fident our cooperation will sure- No Return, which reminds us of promoting friendly relations be- made Benin a stable, peaceful Thanks to that, there are terest of both countries to work ly be strengthened and the slavery-colonization history. tween our peoples. and democratic reference in Af- many students all over Japan toward a more balanced eco- broadened with many other ac- In the middle of the country are It is an honor for both the rica. Thanks to all, including who are majoring in agriculture, nomic relationship with in- tions such as in the private sec- the very famous royal palaces of Benin government and Beni- Japan, Benin has never in his- science, medicine and informa- creased trade. Benin has oil, tor where tourism, science and the Abomey Kingdom and Das- nese people to welcome today tory faced civil war. Because of tion technology. cotton, gold mining, quarries, technology, new information sa-Zoume Catholic pilgrimage — during the national anniver- this, President Yayi Boni re- shea butter, pineapples and and communications technol- site, while in the north, visitors sary — H.E. Minoru Kiuchi, state ceived three years ago from his Development assistance many other resources. ogy, textiles, energy and climate are surrounded by the beauty minister for foreign affairs, colleagues of Africa a mandate Japanese official development My appeal to Japanese and change offer real opportunities formed by abundant natural re- among many foreign dignitaries as chairperson of the African assistance to Benin, both in Asia Pacific investors and entre- for partnership. sources, landscapes of rivers, attending our national day cel- Union (January through De- grants and loans, has been crit- preneurs in the private sector is fauna and the wonderful people ebration. cember 2012). Benin President Yayi Boni and Prime Minister Shinzo Abe greet ical in the visible improvements to look beyond their immediate Spiritual closeness of Benin. Beninese people continue to Since then President Yayi each other during the fifth Tokyo International Conference on achieved in our economic infra- neighborhood of Southeast Asia Benin and Japan have many Thank you very much and express sympathy and brother- Boni has been strengthening African Development (TICAD V) in Yokohama in June, structure, health delivery sys- and proactively target the near- similarities concerning cultural may God bless you in a very spe- hood toward the Japanese who peace and democracy in Africa. 2013. cU O RTESY OF SHINZO ABE tem, educational facilities and ly untapped natural resources values such as religions (Beni- cial way. suffered from the March 11, Therefore, the African Union agricultural extension services (the Republic of Benin has many nese voodoo and Japanese You can get in touch with the 2011, Great East Japan Earth- needs the support of the inter- ranking members of the new while the prime minister, Cabi- over the last few years. raw materials in the ground). Shinto), resemblances in lan- Benin Embassy through its web- quake and tsunami. national community, of which administration in Benin visited net members and senior Japa- It has helped lay the basis of The economic position of guage (Benin Yoruba and Fon site, www.beninembassy.jp. Japan is an important member, Japan and had discussions with nese parliamentary lawmakers the socioeconomic infrastruc- Benin is reinforced by its mem- have many words similar to Jap- Email: abenintyo@beninem- Good governance for all decisions toward democ- their Japanese counterparts, visited Benin in order to con- ture in terms of efficient ports bership in the large market of anese). bassy.jp. We should not forget that the racy and peace in the world. administration of President Yayi Boni aims to transform Benin’s Friendly relationship economy into an emerging one Japan and the Republic of Benin and the political system into a have developed and maintained modern one. excellent relations over the years In a move to achieve this pur- since 1961, and today Japan has pose, Benin organized an eco- become a leading partner in our nomic round table in Paris in development effort. June last year, at the end of President Yayi Boni has vis- which bilateral and multilateral ited Japan several times as a public and private partners state and official visit. The last pledged to support Benin with visit was his participation in the $12 billion to finance various fifth Tokyo International Con- projects and programs. The goal ference on African Develop- through 2019 is to accelerate ment (TICAD V). economic growth to reach at My objectives as ambassador least an 8 percent increase and to Japan are to improve upon to raise the current investment and also expand this positive rate of 19 percent to 28 percent. and mutually beneficial rela- Among these partners called tionship between Japan and the upon to support the various pro- R epublic of Benin. Several high- PAGE: 5.