Ambassador Hakimi meets with Mr. Yasuo Hayashi, Chairman and CEO of JETRO, at his office

Wednesday, September 16th, 2009: Ambassador Hakimi meets with Mr. Yasuo Hayashi, Chairman and CEO of JETRO.

In a meeting with Mr. Yasuo Hayashi of JETRO, a 50-year old organization that has offices in 70 nations, Ambassador Hakimi encouraged JETRO's involvement in Afghanistan. Specific areas cited that JETRO could become ivolved with included helping with the mining sector (in energy materials such as coal and natural gas, as well as with metals and precious stones) and increasing the prominence of Afghan products in Japan, such as fresh and dried fruits, carpets, handmade items, among others.

Ambassador Hakimi expressed his hopes that travel, especially amongst business people, would increase between the nations and therefore relations and understanding of each others' nations and business laws would deepen.

Mr. Hayashi also stated that he hopes one day to personally travel to Afghanistan.