TANAKA Akihiko

JICA President Tanaka with Ali Osman Muhammad Taha, Sudanese Vice President

Early on the morning of April 24, JICA President Akihiko Tanaka arrived in Sudan, the 11th country he has visited in Sub-Saharan Africa since assuming office in April 2012.

On that day, Tanaka held talks with officials including Ali Osman Muhammad Taha, vice president; Magdy Hassan Mohamed Yassin, state minister of Finance and National Economy; and Rahmatalla Mohamed Osman, undersecretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. They exchanged opinions on the future development of Sudan as it relates to improving relations with South Sudan, the role of Japan, and JICA's cooperation.

1. In Tanaka's talks with Taha, the two affirmed that the relationship between Sudan and South Sudan is improving and that mutual cooperation is essential for the development of the two countries. Moreover, the vice president explained that preparations are being made to build a more complete cooperative relationship in the fields of oil and trade.

In response, Tanaka expressed respect for the fact that the Sudanese government is making great efforts toward recovery from the long years of north-south conflict and toward development. He also said JICA would continue cooperating with both countries to realize the fruits of efforts toward peaceful coexistence and development of Sudan and South Sudan.

Also, Tanaka said improved transportation infrastructure is necessary to enlarge trade between the two countries, and that he thinks JICA's ongoing work to improve river traffic on the Nile in South Sudan will contribute to the development of the two countries. The vice president expressed strong interest in and hope for that cooperation project.

JICA President Tanaka with Magdy Hassan Mohamed Yassin, Sudanese State Minister of Finance and National Economy

Furthermore, the vice president said when he recently visited the Kassala state, he learned from the people there that they are very appreciative of JICA projects that are helping improve lives. He also talked about how when he visited other states, he heard from local governments and residents that they greatly value JICA's cooperation. Moreover, the vice president said that for Sudan, the Japanese cooperation model is the best and that he hopes the cooperative relationship with Japan can be expanded.

2. Tanaka's meeting with Magdy was also attended by government officials involved in JICA cooperation being carried out in such fields as water supply, occupational training, trade and investment. Participants also exchanged views on the following development issues facing Sudan: improving access to safe water, development of competitive agricultural products and the importance of occupational training in rural areas.

As preparations proceed for TICAD V in Yokohama in June, the aforementioned talks and other direct exchanges of opinion during this Africa trip with key people in various countries and people involved in development cooperation have been a valuable opportunity for JICA.