On 16th January 2024, the Embassy had an online meeting with Mr. Yoshitaka Toyonaga, Project Coordinator and Advisor of JICA - Tanzania Office to discuss the involvement of Japanese companies in the Dar es Salaam International Trade Fair (DITF). The purpose of the meeting was to brainstorm ideas on how to encourage Japanese companies to participate in the upcoming 48th DTIF, scheduled to take place from June 28 to July 13, 2024 in Dar es Salaam.
The Embassy commenced by acknowledging the cooperation received by the Embassy from JICA, both in HQ Japan and Tanzania Office, while also noting the various activities executed by JICA in Tanzania. As the focus of the meeting was to bridge Japanese companies with business firms and clients in Tanzania, the Embassy used the opportunity to encourage the JICA Tanzania Office to resume their involvement in having a joint pavilion for Japanese companies in the Dar es Salaam International Trade Fair, as was the case before the COVID-19 pandemic. The request was made due to the limited participation of Japanese companies in the previous year's DITF, with only three companies taking part.
Mr. Toyonaga responded by expressing concerns on the financial restrictions at the most recent 47th DITF, which led to most Japanese companies participating individually, unlike in previous years before COVID - 19. He reassured the Embassy that he would bring the matter to the attention of the management team for consideration for the next financial year, starting in April 2024, stating that it was a reasonable time considering the formulation of their new budget.