5th Japanese Business Delegation to the UAE

To further strengthen the relationship between Japan and UAE, and at the same time, to support Japanese companies to expand their business in the overseas market; JETRO once again hosted the visit of the 5^th batch of Japanese business delegation to the UAE from 6^th to 9^th March 2023. The delegation explored the country’s potential as a manufacturing hub and investment opportunities in the emirates of Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Ras Al Khaimah, and Sharjah. The delegation was headed by JETRO’s Executive Vice President, Mr. Mitsuhito Sendai, and was comprised of 12 Japanese companies from a variety of manufacturing industries such as plastic products, weighing equipment, factory automation machinery, dental materials & equipment, construction & engineering, and AI tech solution for manufacturing industry.

On their first day of visit, the delegation attended a business forum in Abu Dhabi organized by KEZAD Group (Khalifa Economic Zones Abu Dhabi Group). During the session, KEZAD highlighted its strengths, advantages, efforts in developing as one of the largest industrial ecosystems in the world and various opportunities inside the economic zones. After the forum, a factory tour was arranged for the delegation to one of the biggest food producers in UAE based in KEZAD, the National Food Products Company (NFPC).

The following day, the delegation explored the emirate of Dubai and attended a business forum & networking session arranged by Dubai Integrated Economic Zones Authority (DIEZ). The event aimed to enhance and strengthen the cooperation between both parties and showcase the investment opportunities in doing business with DIEZ. The delegation was also given an opportunity to visit one Japanese company inside DAFZ (Dubai Airport Free Zone), Nihon Kohden Middle East, manufacturer & distributor of medical electronic equipment. In addition, the delegation met Jebel Ali Free Zone’s Executives in the afternoon, wherein JAFZA’s ecosystem, key industry sectors, opportunities and success stories were being highlighted. And to showcase its unique business environment, a factory visits at Daikin Middle East, manufacturer of HVAC-R solutions, was arranged after the meeting.

On 8^th March, Ras Al Khaimah Chamber of Commerce & Industry welcomed the delegation and invited various business entities to present on the investment climate, incentives, and business opportunities in Ras Al Khaimah. After the forum, the delegation conducted factory visits to some successful Japanese and local companies operating in RAK: Takenaka Middle East, manufacturer of advanced metallic coating systems; Nihon Mesh Kogyo UAE, producer of mesh demister; and Julphar Pharmaceutical Industries, one of the largest pharmaceutical manufacturers in the Middle East and Africa.

And, on their final day, the delegation engaged with successful businesspeople from the emirate of Sharjah during the “Japan-Sharjah Business Forum & Networking” organized by Sharjah Chamber of Commerce & Industry. JETRO signed a Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) with SCCI during the event to strengthen trade relations, develop cooperation, and to promote & encourage investment opportunities between Japan & Sharjah. Additionally, SCCI also provided a factory visit opportunity at Kingston Holdings, Asia’s largest manufacturer of electrical products situated in SAIF Zone for the delegation.

JETRO received great appreciations and positive feedbacks from all the participating Japanese companies. JETRO is looking forward for more future collaborations with each emirate and hoping that the delegation visit will open doors of new business opportunities between Japan and UAE.