Japan to
invest in T&T
By
Anna
Ramdass
Trinidad
Express
Port
Spain
Petroleumworld.com
08 14 06
Japan's Social Affairs Minister Kuniko Inoguchi
yesterday made a commitment to invest some of her
country's resources into Trinidad and Tobago.
Inoguchi
made the comment after meeting with Prime Minister
Patrick Manning and Foreign Affairs Minister Knowlson
Gift for the first ministerial visit of the Japanese
government to this country.
She
presented an official letter to Manning from the
government of Japan and then had a long discussion
with Gift on possible ways in which Japan and Trinidad
and Tobago could strengthen ties.
At
a press conference at Knowsley House, Port of Spain,
following her discussions with Gift, Inoguchi said
that Japan was interested in building relations
with this country and would invest not only in the
energy sector but in other areas which would help
to build communities.
She
said Japan had an interest in lending support to
non-governmental organisations (NGOs) as well as
the fisheries and agricultural industry.
The
energy sector was high on the agenda and Inoguchi
said that Japan was a resource pool by itself and
was willing to lend technical assistance to this
country.
She
said it was Japan's hope to have a good relations
with respect to trade and it was her government's
desire to tap into the resources of the Caribbean.
Inoguchi
said her government saw Trinidad and Tobago as politically
stable and she added that this was a great advantage
to any global investor.
However,
she again stressed that it was important for any
country to diversify, as there was a need for balanced
export.
"I
hope that Japan will invest further in Trinidad
and Tobago," said Inoguchi, adding that it
was also important to have sustainable and cohesive
communities.
She
said the idea of sending English teachers from this
country to Japan also came up in her talks with
Gift and added that this would help Japan better
compete in the global market.
"The
visit can be perceived as a sign of friendship and
commitment," said Inoguchi.
When
questioned on Government's intent to limit the age
of foreign used vehicles imported from Japan, Inoguchi
said: "It is the sovereign right of your nation."
Trinidad Express
Saturday,
August 12th 2006
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