May 25, 2015:It was a great pleasure for the Embassy to host the first of its kind Afghanistan business and economic event. In front of sixty-five Japanese business people, His Excellency Ambassador Dr. Fatimie led the Embassy's efforts in presenting Afghanistan as a vibrant land of opportunity for Japanese business and investment. Junior Chamber International communicated to the Embassy that some JCI members are now wanting to go to Afghanistan to engage in business activities and the local Chairman, the esteemed Mr. Soichiro Yoshikoka, articulated that his own and other members' perceptions of Afghanistan had completely changed in what was a successful event for promoting various Afghan economic sectors.
With Ambassadress Fatimie in attendance, the evening started with speeches by H.E. Ambassador Dr. Fatimie and Mr. Yoshikoka which were followed by a half-an-hour presentation on Afghanistan's business and investment opportunities by the Embassy's Public Affairs Officer. Then a question and answer session was held between the business people and diplomats before a buffet dinner of sumptuous Afghan cuisine was served.
Throughout the evening, guests also enjoyed viewing an Afghan trade booth which demonstrated a sampling of Afghan products.
Along with fifty-three distinguished guests from JCI, additional participants also included the Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry's Project General Manager International Division Mr. Kazuo Nishitani, Manager in Chief of International Division Mr. Chikara Shimizu, and International Division Officer Mr. Shohei Mita, Minato City Council's Director of Global, Art and Culture Planning Mr. Junya Kaku, Chief of Global Community Planning Ms. Takako Takagi, Global Community Planning Ms. Hisa Tagami, Foreign Residents Consultant Ms. Akiyo Fujinuma, as well as JTB's General Manager of Corporate Sales Mr. Shuhei Morishima, Corporate Sales Manager Mr. Akimitsu Arai, Group Leader Mr. Kohei Hamada, and Mr. Seiji Murakami, along with two Afghan public servants Mr. Obaidullah Almas and Mr. Hamdullah Hamdard from the Minister of Mines and Petroleum and the Ministry of Finance respectively.
At the end of the evening, Chairman Yoshikoka presented H.E. Ambassador Dr. Fatimie with a beautiful porcelain panel titled "Mount Fuji in Red" in appreciation for the hosting of the successful event and Ms. Yuiko Yoshino presented a bouquet of flowers.
The evening ended with a group photo and time on the Embassy's roof viewing the Tokyo Tower. The Embassy greatly appreciates the important roles interns Kanako-san, Kana-san, Mindong-san and Shafiq-san fulfilled during the event as part of the Embassy team.
