UNIDO ITPO Tokyo, JETRO, and the Embassy of Cote d’Ivoire in Tokyo organized the “Cote d’Ivoire Business Seminar” on Thursday 26 September 2024. This seminar was a pre-event for the Third Japan Africa Public-Private Economic Forum being held in Cote d’Ivoire this December, and has applied as a TICAD 9 partner project. The hybrid seminar was attended by 260 participants interested in business and investment opportunities in Cote d’Ivoire.
At the beginning of the seminar, H.E. Mr. Ipo Gbolié Désiré Wulfran, Ambassador of the Embassy of Cote d’Ivoire and H.E. Mr. Katsuya Ikkatai, Ambassador of the Embassy of Japan to Cote d’Ivoire delivered opening remarks and called for investment and expansion of business into Cote d’Ivoire. Key investment opportunities for Japanese partners were introduced, including initiatives to process at least 50% of its agricultural products by 2030, as the world’s first producer of cocoa and cashew nuts, and to further develop green economy through renewable energies.
Following the opening remarks, video messages were delivered by Japan’s Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), Mr. Ken Saito and Minister of Economy, Planning and Development of Cote d’Ivoire, Ms. Niale Kaba.
Following the remarks, Ms. Takako Tsujisaka, Deputy Director-General for International Trade Policy, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), gave a presentation to introduce the Third Japan-Africa Public-Private Economic Forum to be held this December in Abidjan. With discussions focused on economy and industry, the forum aims to achieve solutions to Africa’s social issues and green and sustainable growth.
Following Ms. Tsujisaka’s presentation, Mr. Thierry Badou, Director of Investment Attraction, Investment Promotion Center in Cote d’Ivoire (CEPICI) introduced the latest investment climate and opportunities in Cote d’Ivoire. With preferential access to African markets, Cote d’Ivoire is a trade hub that offers opportunities in multiple sectors including farming, agro-industry, housing & construction, mining & energies, tourism & hospitality, health& pharmaceutical, digital economy, and transports & logistics.
In his keynote speech, Mr. Lamine Kone, Vice-President of General Confederation of Enterprises in Cote d’Ivoire (CGECI) spoke about doing business in Cote d’Ivoire and partnerships with Ivorian Companies. As one of the best-performing economies in West Africa, GDP growth in Cote d’Ivoire is projected to average 7% in 2024-2025.
As an example of a Japanese company doing business in Cote d’Ivoire, Mr. Koji Yamato from Africa Planning Department of Toyota Tsusho Corporation spoke about Toyota Tsusho’s initiatives in Cote d’Ivoire. Through joint operations with French trading company, CFAO, business activities in the country currently include operations in mobility, healthcare, consumer, and infrastructure sectors.
Finally, Mr. Daisuke Mizuno, Director General of JETRO Abidjan Office, spoke about the advantages of Japanese companies doing business in Cote d’Ivoire, including sustainable high economic growth, financial and economic stability, and political and social stability.
In the Q&A session, questions were raised about what sectors have the most potential for Japanese companies as well as any challenges for Japanese companies trying to expand into French-speaking countries like Cote d’Ivoire, compared to other English-speaking African countries, where Japanese companies are more accustomed.
Finally, the seminar was concluded with closing remarks by Ms. Fumio Adachi, Head of UNIDO ITPO Tokyo.
Upon the successful conclusion of the seminar, the panelists and participants engaged in lively exchanges in the networking session, to discuss potential business and investment opportunities and expand networks between the two countries, while enjoying Cote d’Ivoire coffee and chocolate fountain provided by the Embassy of Cote d’Ivoire in Tokyo.
Seminar Outline
| Date: | Thursday, 26 September 2024 |
| Time: | 15:00-17:00 |
| Format: | Hybrid (On-site and Online) |
| Venue: |
Elizabeth Rose Hall, United Nations University (5-53-70 Jingūmae, Shibuya, Tokyo, Japan) |
| Online: | Zoom |
| Organizers: | UNIDO ITPO Tokyo Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) |
| Co-Organizer: | Embassy of Cote d’Ivoire in Tokyo |
| Language: | Japanese – English (Simultaneous interpretation) |
Programme
|
14:30 |
Registration (On-site) |
| 15:00-15:05 |
Opening Remarks H.E. Mr. Ipo Gbolié Désiré Wulfran, Ambassador, Embassy of Cote d’Ivoire H.E. Mr. Katsuya Ikkatai, Ambassador, Embassy of Japan to Cote d’Ivoire |
| 15:05-15:10 |
Guest Speech Mr. Ken Saito, Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) Ms. Niale Kaba, Minister of Economy, Planning and Development |
| 15:10-15:15 |
Introduction of the Third Japan-Africa Public-Private Economic Forum |
| 15:15-15:30 |
The latest Investment Climate and Opportunities in Cote d’Ivoire Mr. Thierry Badou, Director of Investment Attraction, Investment Promotion Center in Cote d’Ivoire (CEPICI) |
| 15:30-15:45 |
Doing Business in Cote d’Ivoire and Partnership with Ivorian Companies Mr. Lamine Kone, Vice-President, General Confederation of Enterprises in Cote d’Ivoire (CGECI) |
| 15:45-15:55 |
Toyota Tsusho’s Initiatives in Cote d’Ivoire |
| 15:55-16:10 |
Japanese Business in Cote d’Ivoire Mr. Daisuke Mizuno, Director General, JETRO Abidjan Office |
| 16:10-16:25 |
Q&A |
| 16:25-16:30 |
Closing Remarks Ms. Fumio Adachi, Head, UNIDO ITPO Tokyo |
| 16:30-17:00 |
Networking Cote d’Ivoire coffee and chocolate fountain were provided by the Embassy of Cote d’Ivoire in Tokyo |
Related Materials
For more information, please contact:
Ms. Imazu/ Ms. Horiguchi, UNIDO ITPO Tokyo
Email: EventTokyo@unido.org
