TUNIS - The second Arab-Japanese Economic Forum organised on December 11-12 in Tunis, with the participation of Japanese and Arab ministers and public and private sectors' businessmen, culminated in the "Tunis Declaration," which highlights joint will to develop economic relations between Japan and Arab countries, to enhance understanding and step up exchanges between the two sides.
"The Tunis Declaration" points out that the outcome of the Forum is convincing, as reflected in the various discussions and consultations held between Arab and Japanese enterprises and companies.
The document focused on a set of aspects on developing economic relations to contribute to consolidate peace and boost co-operation in the fields of energy, environment, human resources, education, sciences, technology, trade, investment, partnership, tourism and financing:
Development of Economic Relations between Arab Countries and Japan and Contribution to fostering peace
The two sides highlighted the need to enhance understanding and step up exchanges between them and use their potential to develop economic relations in their mutual interest.
They voiced satisfaction at the holding of the Arab-Japanese Forum's two sessions; the first in December 2009 in Tokyo, in Japan, and the second in Tunis, in December 2010, which helped deepen mutual understanding between the two sides and culminated in concrete results, notably the signing of several documents.
Arab countries expressed consideration for the contribution of the Japanese Government and the private sector to projects and activities in Arab countries for their economic development, pointing to the role of the official Japanese assistance for Arab countries' development.
The two sides laid emphasis on the need to reinforce relations in all fields, pointing out the similarity of their views on strengthening economic relations in a political environment contributing to the establishment of a just and comprehensive peace in the Middle East region, on the basis of implementation of the UN Security Council's resolutions, the land for peace principle and the Arab Peace Initiative.
The two sides called for bolstering co-operation in the industrial field, in line with strengthening inter-Arab trade relations as part of the convention on the large Arab free trade zone and the end of the Doha Round on Trade.
Co-operation in Energy and Environment Fields The two sides voiced will to co-operate on the basis of the mutual interest principle in oil and natural gas fields, as regards prospection and extraction and distribution networks, pointing, in this respect, to the main role of the Organisation of the Arab Petroleum Exporting Countries (OAPEC).
Besides, they laid emphasis on the importance of developing projects in renewable energy as an efficient means to meet the world ever-growing needs in energy. They agreed on achieving concrete projects in the solar energy sector, with the public and private sector's participation.
In another connection, the two sides put stress on the importance of joint co-operation in the water field, voicing satisfaction at the efforts exerted in the various fields, including "dialogue on water policies" and business delegations.
They agreed on exchanging views about co-operation possibilities in the field of peaceful use of nuclear energy.
The Arab side agreed on the participation of Japanese enterprises in the construction of nuclear power plants for power production.
//Co-operation for development of human resources, education, science and technology Japan and the Arab countries seek to strengthen multilateral co-operation in matters of development of primary education, training of skill in manufactured industries, creation of the Egyptian-Japanese University of Science and Technology and achievement of the development project of Borj Cedria for Science and Technology in Tunisia.
Both sides underlined the importance of carrying on co-operation in these areas, particularly through the creation of an other Arab-Japanese university. They also discussed the possibility to co-operate in the fields of information technologies, cutting edge technologies and aerospace.
//Co-operation in trade, investment, tourism and financing
The Arab and Japanese sides agreed to strengthen their economic relations to improve basic infrastructure of railways and energy facilities and plants. Japan expressed its will to contribute actively to the development of infrastructure in the Arab region, particularly financing, in association with public and private companies.
The two sides also emphasised the need to boost trade and investment, hoping to see Arab and Japanese companies develop concrete projects in these sectors.
They also highlighted the major role of financial institutions in developing trade activities and investment and the importance of deepening financial relations between the two sides through the exchange of data on investment.
They praised the recent achievements accomplished in the tourist sector, stressing their role in boosting economy and social development as well as the importance of further strengthening co-operation in the tourist sectors in Japan and in Arab countries.
//Future action
The two sides emphasised the existence of strong mutual understanding, pointing out that they have been able to achieve significant progress in their economic relations since the holding of the first forum.
They underlined that they welcomed new projects of the Japanese private sector, calling to seek to foster ties of co-operation between private companies and step up initiatives before the next forum.
Japan and the Arab countries underlined that this forum is an ideal framework of joint action that help bring together in a same space players and promoters of activities, projects and trade events of both sides.
They expressed hope to see the various future programmes be implemented and endeavour to establish a joint framework and step up data exchange.
They expressed their consideration for the Tunisian Government for the hospitality and excellent organisation of the form and extended their thanks to the Japanese embassies in Arab countries for their contribution. They agreed to hold the 3rd Arab-Japanese Economic Forum in Tokyo in 2012.
© Agence Tunis Afrique Presse 2010
