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Supported by a high-level Ministerial and a delegation of captains of Industry, South African Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa today, Saturday 22 August 2015 touched down in Tokyo, Japan ahead of his official visit to promote South Africa as a preferred destination for foreign direct investment and trade.

At government level, the delegation includes Ministers Naledi Pandor, Rob Davies, Tina Joemat-Pettersson and Deputy Ministers Bheki Cele, Nomaindia Mfeketo, Mzwandile Masina.

Dr Nono Simelelela Special Advisor to the Deputy President, senior government officials including Deputy Director-General in the office of the Deputy President Busani Ngcaweni, Ambassador Anil Sooklal and South Africa’s Ambassador to Japan Mohau Pheko are also part of the delegation.

At a trade level the delegation includes among others CEO’s and Chairperson of South African companies ranging from Coega Development Corporation, NECSA, Transnet, Karanbeef, PPC, KPMG, Maponya Group and a number of other BEE companies.

At the heart of the visit lies a commitment by Deputy President Ramaphosa and his delegation to reassure Japanese business- that South Africa remains open for business. In this context, the Deputy President will brief Japanese investors about South Africa’s macro-economic stability, vibrancy and conducive business environment for Japanese business to invest in the country particularly in ventures that can create jobs. This takes place within the context of current national efforts aimed at exploring new and innovative ways of growing the economy.

Similarly, Deputy President Ramaphosa will utilise the visit to secure commitments from Japan to partner with South Africa in its efforts to combat the scourge of HIV/AIDS, TB and Malaria.

Deputy President Ramaphosa will also 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. In this context, South Africa and Japan will explore partnerships to promote innovation and technology to boost economic growth within the context of the 9-point plan to strengthen the economy.

While in Japan, Deputy President Ramaphosa will seek to strengthen alignment of South Africa and Japan’s approach to global issues of mutual concern including the enhancement of multilateral institutions and the reform of global political and economic governance.

The visit is also expected to consolidate the objectives of the African agenda through the strengthening of the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD) partnership by promoting increased trade, investment growth and infrastructure development in the continent of Africa. In this context South Africa continues to act within efforts of the African continent to facilitate African growth through Agenda 2063.

PROGRAMME 24-25 AUGUST 2015, TOKYO

From Monday 24 August 2015 Deputy President Ramaphosa and the high-level government delegation will pay courtesy calls on the Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, former Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori and hold discussions with the leader of the Liberal Democratic Party Sadakazu Tanigaki.

On trade and investment issues, Deputy President Ramaphosa will address the Japanese Captains of Industry, an organisation boosting a membership of about 1329 representative companies, 109 nation-wide industrial associations and 47 regional economic organisation.

Deputy President Ramaphosa is also expected to address the South Africa-Business Forum Plenary; chair a round-table discussion on investment in energy and meet with the Vice-President of Jetro, Tomiyasu Nakamura.  Jetro is an organisation that promotes trade and investment between Japan the rest of the world. It also promotes foreign direct investment into Japan while assisting small and medium size enterprises to maximise their global export potential.

Deputy President Ramaphosa will furthermore pay a site visit to Toyota plant in Tokyo which will include a presentation of the MIRAI Hydrogen Fuel Cell vehicle developed by the company.

In addition, Deputy President Ramaphosa will pay a visit to Miraikan – a Japanese national museum of emerging science and innovation located in Daiba, Tokyo. The visit will include ICT, manufacturing, engineering and the Advance Step Innovative Mobility- a humanoid robot developed by Honda. It is also used to encourage students to study science and mathematics.  He will also meet with Hideaki Domichi, senior vice President of the Japan international co-operation Agency.

During his visit to Tokyo, Deputy President Ramaphosa will also seize the opportunity to hold discussions with Ambassador Yasushi Akashi on peace-building efforts, rehabilitation and reconstruction in Sri Lanka. Deputy President Ramaphosa is President Jacob Zuma’s Special Envoy to Sri Lanka. Deputy President Ramaphosa is expected to return to South Africa on Wednesday 26 August 2015.

Issued by The Presidency