Imamura Akira on Georgia's Export Potential to Japan
According to Imamura Akira, the Japanese ambassador to Georgia, Georgia and Japan should deepen trade relations. According to him, by improving the quality, Georgia can export more agricultural products to Japan.
"Japan's food self-sufficiency level is 38%. This means that we can only produce up to 38% of the food we need in the country - this is very little. We import more than 60%, which is a high rate; Looking at Georgia as a potential exporter of agricultural products, I think it has a welcome role to play in trade relations between Japan and Georgia. I think Georgia can export more agricultural products to Japan, especially as a result of increasing quality and productivity. Of course, you have to work harder than that.
We also help you and in this regard, we provide the necessary equipment for you. Recently, I was in Akhmeta municipality, where we handed over the refrigerators to the cheese factory. Also, we are interested in sharing our experience in the direction of increasing productivity. We have considerable experience in the field of agriculture in terms of cooperatives, which is an important basis for a private farmer. This increases efficiency", the ambassador said in the BMG program "Forbes Talks".
Imamura Akira also said in the program that Georgia is associated with the production of natural, organic products for the Japanese, which increased the demand for various Georgian products.
"We produce only 7% of honey for domestic consumption. That's why we need to import 93% from other countries. We mainly import honey from China, Argentina and Hungary, that's why Georgia's share is still low. I do not know exactly how the demand for Georgian honey arose in Japan, however, I think it is related to the attitude of the Japanese people towards health. We know that honey is good for health, it consists of many useful ingredients, that's why Japanese consumers are always looking for honey that is good for their health. Also, I am sure that it is partly related to the image of Georgia in Japan, which in turn is related to natural organic products. We have been eating Georgian sour cream for a long time. I personally used to eat it even before I became the ambassador to Georgia. I remember that the Georgian flag was painted on the outside of the sour cream," said the Japanese ambassador to Georgia.
Imamura Akira says that Georgian wine is becoming more and more popular in Japan. According to him, the sale of Georgian wine at a high price in Japan was facilitated by the increase in awareness about Georgia.
"I am glad that the name of Georgian wine is growing in Japan. The high price is probably a kind of reflection of recognition and appreciation of Georgian wine by consumers. There are also other areas that are not related to wine at all. For example, Georgian sumo player Tochinoshin, who is very popular. He is probably the most famous Georgian in Japan. Or another Georgian dish - Chkmeruli, which is very popular in Japan, you can buy it ready-made in Japanese markets. So, the awareness of Georgia in Japan is increasing. That is why, I think, Georgian wine is sold at a higher price, although, as in the case of honey, the import of Georgian wine to Japan is quite small, if we compare the volume of wine from other countries. That's why I think we should strengthen the branding strategy. My advice would be to take into account the Japanese people's attitude towards health, and in this regard, I would like to emphasize the organic nature of Kvevri wine. We know that Kvevari wine is unique in Georgia, nobody produces it except Georgia, and its production has been related to the organic process for more than 8,000 years," said the ambassador.