The new Venezuelan ambassador to Tokyo on Tuesday called for Japan to show greater interest in his country, and in South America in general, in order to achieve closer economic and political ties.
During his visit to The Japan Times, Carlos Bivero said he wants to see more Japanese companies invest in Venezuela, particularly in its oil and energy-related industries. Venezuela has one of Biverothe world's largest oil reserves.
To promote bilateral economic and trade relations in the private sector, a joint meeting will be held in Caracas on April 27, with Mitsubishi Corp. Chairman Minoru Makihara heading up the Japanese delegation, the ambassador said.
Bivero warned Japan that it stands to lose out in South America, which offers great business opportunities and potentially huge markets and has the largest Japanese community outside of Japan.
He also said that there is great need for infrastructure to be built in South America and expressed hope that Japan will tighten its relations not only in economic, trade and financial areas but also at the political level.
Bivero, who arrived in Tokyo in November, has served as the deputy chief of mission at the Venezuelan Embassy in Washington and as deputy permanent representative to the United Nations, after occupying various government economic posts.