Results of JETRO’s 2020 Survey on Business Conditions of Japanese Affiliated Companies in the Middle East

Mar 01, 2021

In September 2020, the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) conducted its latest survey on the business conditions of Japanese-affiliated companies in the Middle East. The survey was conducted in 10 countries: United Arab Emirates (UAE), Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Jordan, Israel, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, and Oman. The survey received valid response from 244 firms.

 

Key Points:

[Operating Profit Forecast]

Due to the impact of COVID-19 and a fall in oil prices, the proportion of companies expecting profit fell below 50% in 2020. The proportion exceeded 50% in Turkey and UAE, but less than 20% in Saudi Arabia and Iran.

 

[Future Business Outlook]

In the Middle East as a whole, the pace of business expansion slowed down, and “remain the same” increased by 10 points, the highest at 60%. On the other hand, about 50% of companies in Israel, Turkey and Saudi Arabia are planning to expand business.

 

[Investment Environment/Promising Business Areas]

Japan’s positive image serves as the biggest advantage in the investment environment. On the other hand, the challenge is about its legal system - unnoticed change, undeveloped or unclear system. Promising business areas for the whole region are "new industries," "resources and energy," and "infrastructure."

 

*For the full details of the survey results, please click here.

*Report is also available at the Survey Reports Section in our Global website.