International Relations and Cooperation Minister Ronald Lamola has concluded his visit to Japan, where he participated in the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD) ministerial meeting. Prior to the TICAD opening, Lamola engaged in a business roundtable with the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) aimed at bolstering economic ties between South Africa and Japan.
Clayson Monyela, the head of public diplomacy at the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (Dirco), highlighted the outcomes of the meeting, including the establishment of a protocol for the export of South African avocados to Japan. This protocol, which mandates a cold treatment of 2°C for 19 days, was agreed upon following diplomatic negotiations. The arrival of the first avocado consignment in Japan aligns with Lamola's visit, marking the initiation of avocado exports from South Africa to the East.
Monyela also noted the progress in South Africa's economic diplomacy, with the opening of new markets for avocados in Japan, the People's Republic of China, and the Republic of India. Additionally, Lamola's discussions with Toyota executives during the JETRO meeting touched on Toyota's recent R1.2 billion investment in South Africa's automotive sector, highlighting its potential impact on industrialization, job creation, and transformation.
In a meeting with Japan's Foreign Affairs Minister, Yōko Kamikawa, Lamola emphasized the robust relationship between South Africa and Japan, describing it as a balanced economic partnership that significantly benefits both nations' development and fosters strong people-to-people relations.
Source: IOL