The 7th edition of the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD) opened last Wednesday August 28, 2019 in Yokoama in the suburbs of Tokyo. But before its opening, members of the Beninese delegation held panels last Tuesday in front of participants and other decision-makers. It is in this vein that the Minister of Economy and Finance Romuald Wadagni spoke with an impressive audience of Japanese businessmen to get them to invest in Benin.

“(…) Benin is stable and secure. We are willing to do business and decide quickly. There are many opportunities (…) ”. So spoke the Beninese national treasurer to the myriad of Japanese investors who came to listen to him. At the start of his interview, Romuald Wadagni recalled that Benin is “one of the gateways for all the countries of the African continent”. So cooperating with Benin, his country, is a springboard for investing in other countries. The reforms initiated under the governance of Patrice Talon to improve the business climate, boost development and make the country a sub-regional hub have not been overlooked. By way of illustration, he cited the reforms concerning labor which made it possible to reduce strike periods, the law on hiring and then efforts to make energy available … The conditions are therefore “created to bring in industries from transformation ”reassured Romuald Wadagni. The latter wanted “two thirds of what Benin produces to be transformed on the spot”.

The Japanese business leaders and other decision-makers who followed the Minister of Economy and Finance of Benin did not remain indifferent to his call, several of them, on this occasion, expressed their willingness to turn to the Benin to do their business. Exploration missions and making contacts with Japanese businessmen are expected in the coming weeks in Cotonou.