Picture courtesy: Picture: (Dirco shared via X) South African avocados welcomed in Japan as Minister Ronald Lamola secures diplomatic milestones in Tokyo
(The Post News)- Clayson Monyela, head of public diplomacy at the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (Dirco), announced that Minister Ronald Lamola has successfully concluded his visit to Japan. During this trip, Lamola attended the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD) ministerial meeting.
The TICAD conference aimed to promote economic development, peace, and security in Africa, with a focus on strengthening partnerships between African countries and Japan.
During his visit, Minister Lamola met with Japanese Foreign Minister Yōko Kamikawa. His attendance at the conference was a significant moment for South Africa-Japan relations, following the recent agreement between the two nations to establish a protocol for exporting South African avocados to Japan.
Minister Lamola engaged in a business roundtable discussion with the Japan External Trade Organisation (JETRO) to further strengthen economic cooperation between the two countries.
The meeting highlighted two critical economic developments, including the successful export of South African avocados to Japan.
The first consignment of avocados arrived in Japan last week, coinciding with Minister Lamola’s visit.
This marks the beginning of a new market opening for South African avocados in the East.
Clayson Monyela noted that this milestone opens up new opportunities for South African avocados in the Eastern market.
He added that the required 19-day cold treatment at 2°C has been tested and proven effective for Hass avocados, with successful shipments to the UK demonstrating their resilience under these conditions.
The outcomes of TICAD will benefit African countries, including South Africa, by promoting economic development, trade, and investment.
The conference highlighted areas of cooperation, including infrastructure development, economic diversification, and human resource development.
Minister Lamola’s successful trip to Japan has strengthened relations between South Africa and Japan, paving the way for increased trade and investment between the two nations.
The export of South African avocados to Japan marks a significant milestone in this regard, with potential benefits for South African farmers and the economy as a whole.
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