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Last month, Government confirmed Zimbabwe’s participation at the World Expo 2025 Osaka (Japan), in line with the country’s policy thrust to promote trade and attract foreign capital.
The development comes at a time when Zimbabwe is keen to attract foreign direct investment, while the Japanese government is also encouraging its private sector to scout for local business opportunities.
Our reporter WALTER MUCHINGURI (WM) spoke to Japanese Ambassador to Zimbabwe Mr Tanaka Satoshi (TS) to get more insights about the event.
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WM: Can you please explain what the Osaka Expo is?
TS: A world expo is an event that brings together people and innovations from around the world in an effort to address issues facing humanity on a global scale.
Two decades after the Aichi Expo 2005, Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai will bring the international community back to Japan.
Looking back at the Dubai 2020 Expo, Zimbabwe gained lessons for future engagements.
Its participation had positive outcomes.
Zimbabwe secured several business deals worth millions of dollars in key sectors of the economy. This positive development was indicative that the economy was poised to register positive growth.
WM: Who are the organisers of this event?
TS: The event is organised and sanctioned by the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE).
The Japan Association for the 2025 World Exposition, in collaboration with the national and local governments and the business community, will prepare and manage the main expo event.
WM: Why is Japan interested in hosting this event?
TS: The government of Japan believed that hosting the expo would promote international cooperation and understanding.
In November 2018, the BIE announced that Osaka had been chosen as the host city for the expo with 92 votes. The decision was based on Osaka’s ability to influence the expo as a platform for economic and social development.
The expo will generate economic benefits for Japan as a whole through increased tourism and trade.
WM: When and where is this event going to take place?
TS: The six-month-long (184 days) expo will be held from April 13 to October 13, 2025.
Expo 2025 will be held in Osaka, Japan, in the Kansai province, located in the country’s foremost strategic location of Honshu island.
WM: How does it compare to other major events in Japan and across the world?
TS: Japan is hosting several major international events such as one of the most important and most visible features of Japan’s relationship with Africa, (TICAD 9), in 2025.
Another upcoming event will be the International Horticultural Expo 2027, which will be held in Yokohama, Japan. The expo will create opportunities for horticulturists.
However, the unique point of the Osaka Expo is that it is a global event that is open to every business sector.
WM: Who is eligible to participate at this event?
TS: The BIE is composed of 170 countries that oversee the various exhibitions and choose the host countries.
The target for Osaka was 150 countries and regions, and 25 international organisations.
On December 1, 2020, the government of Japan and the organiser of the World Expo 2025 began the official invitation activities.
WM: What does it take for foreign exhibitors to participate in the event?
TS: Participating exhibitors shall comply with guidelines set by BIE, the organisation responsible for overseeing the world expos.
The organisers provide information on the application process and participation.
Once an application is accepted, the exhibitor will secure its exhibition space and organise for necessary permits for materials to enter Japan.
The exhibitors from developing countries can benefit from an assistance programme that was set up. The assistance is in the form of financial and technical support to cover the periods before, during and after the expo.
The assistance will cover 80 to 100 countries.
However, the application for foreign exhibition is already closed now.
WM: What is in it for foreign exhibitors, especially those from Zimbabwe?
TS: The expo will provide an excellent chance for Zimbabwe to showcase its investment opportunities in various sectors of the economy such as mining, agriculture and tourism.
The expo will also open up markets between Japan and Zimbabwe.
The exhibitors can utilise new ideas from the world’s advanced technology to solve global issues facing mankind.
WM: Apart from the event itself, what other activities or events can exhibitors and visitors look forward to?
TS: There are many festivals, cultural exhibitions, (and) marathons that will include various outdoor recreational pursuits that have been lined up for the exhibitors to enjoy.
WM: As an embassy, what are you doing to encourage Zimbabwean companies to exhibit at the show?
TS: The embassy is working in collaboration with ZimTrade to spread awareness of the expo.
To date, an inaugural stakeholders’ engagement seminar was held on June 10, 2022, then a press conference on May 2, 2023.
More awareness seminars are still to be carried out in some of the country’s provinces.
WM: What would you like to say to local companies or organisations that are planning to take part at the expo?
TS: Osaka Expo 2025 is expected to attract a large number of visitors and participants from around the world.
This presents an opportunity for Zimbabwean companies to showcase their products and services to a global audience, and to establish business relations with companies from other countries. Zimbabwe has to identify its unique strengths and competitive advantages to attract potential partners and customers.
The event will present a mutually beneficial opportunity for Zimbabwe and Japan to showcase their respective cultures and traditions, thereby promoting greater understanding between the two countries. The embassy, together with ZimTrade, would welcome as many companies as possible from Zimbabwe to come and showcase the charm of Zimbabwe.
Online Reporter