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June 8, 2006: The visit of the H.E. the Prime Minister of Japan to our country (between 29 April - 1 May 2025), the first by a Japanese, Prime Minster at the outset of our National Day celebrations and at a time when the representatives of the people are discussing the accelerated continuation of the last decade's rapid and sustained growth for the next five years, has a special meaning to us and as in the words of our Prime Minister H.E. Ato Meles Zenawi "is historic and manifests Japan's desire to further strengthen its relations with Ethiopia and Africa in general."

Prime Minister's visit to Ethiopia, as the political capital of African and the first country to establish diplomatic relations with Japan, has undoubtedly strengthened and consolidated the historic, traditional and robust relationship between the peoples of the two countries. The Japanese leader's stay in our country had so many highlights: the joint visit of the two Prime Ministers to the recently renovated National Palace gardens to enjoy a traditional coffee ceremony and watching lions; Prime Minster Koizumi's tour of the ground water institute (soon to be upgraded to regional training center); and gala thrown on his behalf at the Palace in the presence of President Girma Wolde-giorgis, Prime Minister Meles Zenawi and other high level officials, which featured a wonderful performance by a traditional dance troupe representing all Ethiopia's nationalities; and the visit to Africa Union head-quarters in Addis Ababa.

Prior to Prime Minister Koizumi's visit, Dr. Sadao Umeda, the President of Ethiopian Association of Japan and President of Kajima Construction Co. had an audience with President Girma Wolde-giorgis at the National Palace.

This highlighted how our leaders value the promotion of people to people relations and recognized the efforts of the association, particularly the dedication of Dr. Umeda.

On this National Day occasion it gives me great pleasure to express and wish great health and long life for Their Majesties Emperor Akahito and Empress Michiko and continued prosperity and peace to the Government and people of Japan.

Fifteen years have elapsed since the demise of the dictatorial Derg regime and the taking root of a system based on peace, development and democracy. During this period Ethiopia has undergone a massive transformation economically, socially and politically.

Policies & programs intended to reduce poverty formulated and implemented during past years have shown rapid broad based and sustainable economic development that have benefited all our people.

Steady growth averaging 5 percent to 6 percent has been achieved in the last decade and for the last three years a steady double digit growth was registered. Diversification of agriculture as the engine of growth is being witnessed. Coffee, which for so long has dominated the export business for decades, has been joined by other commodities. Oil seeds, spices, hides and skins, flowers and beeswax, etc are gaining ground in international markets.

Marked improvements in infrastructure development have been registered. New constructions and rehabilitation of roads are becoming frequent and ubiquitous. The number of beneficiaries for electricity, telecommunication and water supply has rapidly increased.

Social services such as education and health has been given special emphasis and all indicators show a rapid and broad based improvement with remarkable participation of the people.

Education and health sector development programs devised to enhance the education and health coverage of the nation (jointly financed by government and donors) has registered remarkable results.

The government has embarked upon an aggressive capacity building program in every sector and the recently introduced civil service reform program in public institutions have began transforming institution and is changing the way the nation's civil service conduct business.

The next five years Program for Accelerated and Sustained Development to End Poverty (PASDEP) gives special emphasis to enhancement of activities in these areas and a universal access accelerated program has been formulated for most of these sectors. We expect in some sectors reaching MDG targets by then.

Ethiopian's trade relations with Japan are robust and increasing in volume from year to year. Japan is the second largest Ethiopian coffee importer next to Germany and may overtake it soon. At this juncture I would like to commend the large trading houses Mitsubishi, Mitsui, Itochu and Marubeni and other companies who have supplied Ethiopian coffee in different forms to Japanese market and consumers and would like to implore them to consider value adding mechanisms to better benefit importers, exporters, farmers and consumers alike.

The government of the Ethiopia believes the new "One Village One Product" initiative of Prime Minister Koizumi will have a profound effect in enhancing trade between Japan and other developing countries, including Ethiopia which will aggressively participate to benefit from it.

Ethiopia is among the primary benefactors of Japanese Overseas Development Assistance. Japan provides meaningful assistance for the road sector, food security, water supply, health and education as well as environmental protection.

We are very grateful to the government and people of Japan for their continued generous and tangible support for the various development efforts in our country. Noted among the projects is the Abay Bridge to be built over the Nile, which our Prime Minister called it " a lasting monument" during recent visit of Prime Minister Koizumi. The Japanese leader's announcement to double the volume of ODA to Africa and according to areas of priority to countries is welcome news for the continent. In light of this, I invite Japanese NPOs to work in assisting Ethiopia stamp out poverty and attain MDG targets.

Ethiopia is graced by an unprecedented investment boom. New businesses are sprouting all around. Investment in agriculture, construction, industry, etc is commendably instituted investment-conducive polices and regulations. I call upon the Japanese investors to take part in this investment bonanza and invest in their sector of choice. Rest assured we will be with you all the way to assist you in realizing your investment dreams in our potentially rich country.

Tourism is another sector for which the government is jointly working with the private sector. For the first time a Ministry of Tourism and Culture has been established. Cognizant of the fact that tourist potential of the nation is untapped, the government, in addition to the improvement made, will be undertaking an ambitions improvements in tourist infrastructure-construction, upgrading and rehabilitation of roads, hotels and transport facilities, and improving and opening up new tourist sites.

Ethiopia enjoys "13 months of sunshine," is a cradle of human kind, is home to the one and only live lava ash in the world (Artale) and is among others the owner of world-class historic, cultural and scenic sites. Come, bring your family and friends with you, I assure you, you will be received with unparalleled hospitality and unspoiled traditional welcome that only, Ethiopia can provide.

During my brief stay in Japan I have witnessed the friendly and industrious nature of the Japanese people. My country and people can learn a lot from their counterparts in Japan. I look forward to going out and visit communities, businesspeople, civil societies, educational institutions, etc. throughout Japan to exchange views & promote the long-standing multifaceted Ethio-Japan relationship.

On this auspicious occasion, I want to honour and commend the Japan-Ethiopia Parliamentary Friendship League, The Ethiopian Association of Japan, Mocha Dance Group and all other friends of Ethiopia and my compatriots living in Japan for their continues support and promotion of people-to-people relations.


Source: By Guled (Somaliherald.com)