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Japanese support for East Cape Auto Manufacturers

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Jica Delegation
A high powered Japanese delegation Visited Nelson Mandela Bay this week to develop supplier support programmes. From the left are Mr Takeshi Minamitani, Mr Takashi Kano, Mr Shigetoshi Sugimoto and Mr Naoki Izumi, the First Secretary (Economic & Commercial) Embassy of Japan.

The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry of Japan (METI) kick-started a programme to support automotive suppliers in South Africa through discussions with and assessments of suppliers in Port Elizabeth this week.

The delegation was comprised of two experienced experts in the automotive sector, an official of HIDA (The Overseas Human Resources and Industry Development Association), a governmental agency affiliated to METI, an interpreter and Mr. Naoki Izumi, First Secretary of Trade and Industry from the Embassy of Japan.

Facilitated by the AIDC Eastern Cape, the delegation visited Lumotech, Coega Autospray, Bentler and VW on Thursday and Friday to exchange views and develop an optimal blueprint for its proposed programme.

Minister, Embassy of Japan, Sinichi Asazuma said Japan was working with the Department of Trade and Industry of South Africa (DTI) to develop multifaceted support programs for automotive industry development in South Africa.

“The government of Japan sees that supplier development is one of the most important agendas  in order to further the objective of the APDP .

In fact, governmental agencies of Japan have actively been working on supplier development and productivity improvement in the automotive sector in South Africa in collaboration with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)”, he said.

AIDC Eastern Cape MD Lance Schultz said Japan were welcomed and sought-after partners.

“The Japanese manufacturing system has set the benchmarks globally and we are pleased with a growing relationship that the AIDC EC and other agencies and companies has fostered with The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry of Japan, from whom we can only learn and become even more globally competitive.”

The visit was another step in the strengthening of relations with Japan, Schultz said.

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Alan Straton

Chief Cook, Bottle Washer and Broom Mechanic at MyPE
Passionate about Port Elizabeth and definitely NOT packing for Perth. Alan's ethos is epitomised in the words of Nelson Mandela; "I have fought against white domination and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the idea of a democratic and free society. If need be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die." See more articles by Alan.