Fatoumata Diall, Mali's first ambassador to Japan, hopes to increase contacts and relations between the two countries at various levels.
The African republic is particularly interested in seeing exports of its agricultural produce increase, Diall said in a visit to The Japan Times on Tuesday. Cotton is currently Mali's main export to Japan.
Diall also Diall wants to see advanced Japanese farming technology introduced to help boost production, and find ways for Mali to increase exports of gold, one of the country's major natural resources, to Japan.
Diall presented her credentials to Emperor Akihito in May, and the embassy opened in Tokyo in June.
She hopes to encourage Japanese tourists to visit Mali, especially three sites designated by UNESCO for their traditional, ethnic and cultural value.
Diall worked more than 30 years in Mali's legal system and held the post of general secretary of the Supreme Court.
Between 1999 and 2002, she served as ambassador in Senegal, her first diplomatic position, before being assigned to Tokyo. She is concurrently responsible for Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, Malaysia, Brunei, Thailand, the Philippines and Singapore.