KZN, Japan to work together
David Masango
10 July 2007KwaZulu-Natal has entered into a partnership with Japan to strengthen economic ties and ensure a sharing of knowledge between the two, as well as to promote cooperation in areas of joint interest between itself and provinces in Japan.
KwaZulu-Natal Premier Sibusiso Ndebele made the announcement at a dinner hosted by South Africa's ambassador to Japan, Ben Ngubane, at the ambassador's official residence in Tokyo over the weekend.
"We look forward to a long and beneficial relationship between Japan and KwaZulu-Natal," Ndebele said in an issued statement.
Ndebele, supported by KwaZulu-Natal provincial Minister for Agriculture, Mtholephi Mthimkhulu, led a local delegation on a study tour of the East Asian country.
Ndebele told about 200 guests that one of the reasons KwaZulu-Natal had set its sights on Japan was to help improve its tea production in order to meet international standards.
"Despite its potential, tea production in KwaZulu-Natal has not reached the desired levels," he said.
"We have projects such as Ntingwe Tea, Paddock Tea and Ngome Tea Farms and our cooperation with Japan will help improve their production capacity."
Ndebele added that as Japan was the second largest economy in the world, it was a strategic partner for both KwaZulu-Natal and South Africa.
'A lot to offer'
He explained that the KwaZulu-Natal had a lot to offer to foreign visitors, adding that KwaZulu-Natal was the second strongest economic performer in South Africa.
"Not only are we one of the most vibrant provinces with natural beauty and a rich and diverse cultural heritage, but we have a solid and well-planned path toward the future," he said.
He added that despite challenge, the province was on track toward achieving the 2014 Millennium Development Goals, which includes access to basic services such as water, sanitation and electricity.
"This, together with a focus on food security through the agrarian revolution, is the first step in improving the quality of life of our people," Ndebele said.
He also told guests that the province's tourism industry consistently retained its status as South Africa's leading domestic and international tourism destination.
"Indeed, we have become the Mecca for international conferences and sporting events such as the A1 Grand Prix," Ndebele said.
'Hard work and enterprise'
"In this financial year we have announced an investment of close to R8-billion for key projects in the province. This is the single largest investment made by government at any time in the history of our province," he said.
He added that the province could learn from the massive expansion of exports by Japan and its commitment to hard work and enterprise, which was currently driving the economy of Japan.
"We also admire Japan's best practice in respect of the management of world heritage sites, and a partnership between our St Lucia Wetlands and Shirotake in Hokkaido should be considered," he said.
"We can [also] learn from the city of Kitakyushu about environmental management, notably mitigating pollution."
Ndebele added that KwaZulu-Natal could partner with Japan's International Cooperation Agency (JICA) on poverty alleviation and skills development, showing much interest in their One Village One Product movement.
Source: BuaNews
