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https://www.politico.cd/encontinu/2023/08/10/rdc-tenue-a-matadi-dun-atelier-sur-lelargissement-de-lassiette-fiscale-a-36-milliards-de-fc.html/137529/

The Japanese government wishes to support the DRC in the development of its mining and economic sectors

By Rédaction Kinshasa
August 10, 2023 at 19:40




A Japanese delegation headed by Nishimura Yasutoshi, Japanese Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry, accompanied by the Japanese ambassador to the DRC, held talks with Prime Minister Jean-Michel Sama Lukonde on Thursday August 10, on strengthening cooperation between Japan and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

At the end of these exchanges, the Japanese Minister, Nishimura Yasutoshi, recalled that last year, they welcomed the Minister of Mines, Antoinette Nsamba, to Japan in order to broaden the scope of cooperation between the two countries in the mining sector.

"The Democratic Republic of Congo is rich in natural resources. You also have a population of nearly 100 million. You have strong growth potential. And Japan is keen to strengthen cooperation between the two countries. Last year, we welcomed Mining Minister Antoinette Nsamba to Japan to broaden the scope of our mining cooperation. We signed a joint declaration and subsequently organized a mining conference in Japan. It's against this backdrop that I'm here today to further expand our cooperation. Jacmec and the Congolese Ministry of Mines have signed an agreement to further promote their cooperation", he remarked.

He says that he and Prime Minister Sama Lukonde have also agreed to expand cooperation between the two countries. The next step would be to send a joint Japanese public-private mission to the DRC in less than a year's time.

"We have already cooperated on minerals such as copper and other minerals such as lithium. We have also reached agreement with the Prime Minister on exploration. Japan would like to make contributions in broad areas such as investment, training, technology transfer and the construction of supply chains and infrastructure", he said.

According to Nishimura Yasutoshi, Japan's Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry, Japan also wants to build a win-win relationship with the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Christian Okende