Japan legislator visits with P.M.
There was no rest for the Prime Minister today as he met with Japan’s Parliamentary Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Taimei Yamaguchi. Yamaguchi, on a one-day visit to Belize, discussed with P.M. Musa ways of strengthening the friendly relations between Belize and Japan.
Prime Minister Said Musa
“We now have a group of Japanese volunteers working in Belize mainly in systems analysis, computer areas, working in the different public service departments of government and also with a few NGOs. So we want to expand that programme, it’s like the Japanese equivalent of the Peace Corps. They’ve also helped various civil society groups over the years, the most recent one was with the Psychiatric Unit in Belmopan. So we discussed expanding those ongoing programmes, economic co-operation, Japan to Belize. Also as a member of CARICOM, Japan has launched a friendship and co-operation fund they call it, of ten millions dollars for the Caribbean, and Belize of course will be able to access assistance from that as well.”
Ann-Marie Williams
“How much of that we’ll get…We don’t usually get things from Japan.”
Prime Minister Said Musa
“That is so. We don’t know the exact amount yet, but we will be part of that.”
Ann-Marie Williams
“On the agenda there was also talk of establishing a possible embassy here.”
Prime Minister Said Musa
“We discussed the whole question of strengthening or upgrading our diplomatic representation. Belize is looking at the possibility now of establishing an embassy in Tokyo. Not with a full resident ambassador, but at least have the presence in Tokyo of a high level Belize presence.”
Ann-Marie Williams
“Any thoughts of who you want to make a non-resident ambassador?”
Prime Minister Said Musa
“It probably will be Chief Executive Officer in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr. David Gibson. As I said, he wouldn’t be resident ambassador, but we need to indicate to them that we’re treating it very seriously. Countries do that from time to time.”
As part of a programme of co-operation, the two men discussed the holding of a “Caribbean Trade and Tourism Fair”, early next year in Japan. Belize’s participation at the fair will help gain access to the Japanese market, especially for our agricultural products. Yamaguchi, a member of the Liberal Democratic Party, holds a seat in the Japanese House of Representatives.
