2018.14.2 Director-General Yoshimura, JETRO officials welcomed. One Village, One Product program discussed

Director-General Yoshimura, JETRO officials welcomed. One Village, One Product program discussed

February 14, 2018: His Excellency Dr. Bashir Mohabbat welcomed to the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan in Tokyo Director-General Sachiko Yoshimura, Ms. Yuko Shiokawa, and Mr. Kozo Ono of the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO). Second Secretary Mr. Asif Agah, and Ms. Namie Imanishi also represented the embassy during the meeting.

JETRO works to create mutually-beneficial business links between Japan and the world. Over the years, the organization has done much to encourage a greater presence in Japan for Afghan products. As the current security situation makes the business climate a bit difficult for Japanese business in Afghanistan, JETRO has looked for ways to still promote Afghan businesses and stimulate the Afghan Economy by undertaking programs it has installed for international segues into Japan - in the case of Afghanistan, to link Afghan suppliers and Afghan-owned businesses in Japan with Japanese consumers. One of the programs that has been promoted is the "One Village, One Product" format in which products from around the world are sold at key locations such as the Kansai International Airport and Narita International Airport. This year, as Director-General Yoshimura explained, the program is set to feature necklaces and bracelets made from Afghanistan’s lapis lazuli as well as handmade carpets direct from the looms of Afghanistan.

H.E. Ambassador Dr. Mohabbat expressed sincere appreciation for the excellent initiative and for JETRO’s steadfast dedication. Through programs such as this, awareness of Afghanistan and its crafts can continue to increase. He also asked that they sincerely consider in the future to invest further into the economy and to assist in training more of the Afghan companies and businesses to help bring them to the level of greatness of Japanese companies and businesses which will, through their assistance, serve to help grow the Afghan economy. H.E. Dr. Mohabbat assured him that the government of Afghanistan would endeavor to do all in its power to increase the strides in security and asked Japan to continue to support and assist them in doing so.

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