JETRO Hosts the 7th Japanese Business Delegation to the UAE to Explore Sustainable Investment Opportunities

From 17 to 20 November, JETRO welcomed its 7th Japanese Business Delegation to the United Arab Emirates. The delegation comprised 15 leading Japanese companies operating in key sustainable sectors, including waste management, wastewater treatment, recycling, green building and construction, renewable energy, and related industries. The delegation was led by Mr. Takafumi Suzuki, Executive Vice President of JETRO.

The program offered participants a comprehensive overview of the UAE’s dynamic business environment through visits to the emirates of Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Sharjah. These engagements enabled the delegation to assess potential investment opportunities and explore avenues for collaboration with key public and private stakeholders across the UAE.

The program commenced in Dubai with a site visit to the Warsan Waste Management Company (WWMC), the world’s largest energy-from-waste facility. The visit, organized with the support of Itochu Middle East LLC, highlighted the facility’s cutting-edge technologies and its role in advancing Dubai’s sustainable infrastructure by converting waste into clean energy while minimizing environmental impact.

On 18 November, JETRO, in collaboration with the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO), the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED), and the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ADCCI), organized the “Abu Dhabi–Japan Business Forum: Driving Sustainability — Strengthening Abu Dhabi & Japan Cooperation.”

The forum opened with welcoming remarks by Mr. Obaid Musallem Al Ameri, Executive Director of the Abu Dhabi Residents Office (ADRO), who officially welcomed the delegation and underscored the importance of strengthening economic cooperation between Abu Dhabi and Japan.

Representatives from ADRO, ADDED, and the KEZAD Group delivered presentations outlining Abu Dhabi’s business ecosystem and investment opportunities. The forum also featured networking sessions with distinguished guests invited by the Abu Dhabi Chamber, facilitating meaningful dialogue and fostering prospects for future collaboration.

With the exceptional support of the Abu Dhabi Department of Energy and the Abu Dhabi Chamber, the delegation visited one of TAQA Water Solutions’ state-of-the-art wastewater treatment facilities following the forum. TAQA, a leading international utilities provider, manages wastewater collection, treatment, and reuse systems across Abu Dhabi. The delegation was welcomed by Mr. Ali Al Zaadi, Director of Corporate Strategy and Performance at TAQA Water Solutions, and his team, who shared valuable insights and conducted a guided tour of the world-class facility.

On 19 November, the third day of the program, the KEZAD Group—led by Mr. Khalid Al Marzooqi, Vice President for International Business Development, and Ms. Shamma Nasser Al Hosani, Specialist for Commercial and Business Development—graciously arranged a site visit to the National Food Products Company (NFPC), one of the Middle East’s leading food and beverage manufacturers. The delegation was received by Mr. Yasser Abbas, Utilities Manager at NFPC, who presented the company’s key achievements and nearly five decades of industry excellence. Participants were given an in-depth tour of the wastewater treatment plant and production facilities.

Later that day, the delegation traveled to Sharjah to visit BEEAH’s Waste-to-Energy Facility. In partnership with Masdar, BEEAH established the Emirates Waste to Energy Company (EWTE) to address the dual challenges of managing non-recyclable waste and advancing sustainable energy solutions. The EWTE team conducted a comprehensive tour, showcasing the UAE’s first dedicated waste-to-energy plant and its pioneering role in transforming waste into renewable energy across the MENA region.

On 20 November, the final day of the program, and with the outstanding support of the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the delegation visited two of the UAE’s most advanced water facilities: the SEWA Seawater Desalination Plant and the SEWA Underground Water Desalination Plant.

During the visits, the Sharjah Electricity, Water and Gas Authority (SEWA) team provided a detailed overview of the facilities’ advanced operations. The delegation observed modern desalination and production technologies used to treat seawater and underground water for distribution to residential, commercial, and industrial consumers throughout Sharjah.

The program concluded with the “Sharjah–Japan Business Forum,” organized by the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry, followed by a B2B matching session aimed at identifying new opportunities for trade and investment cooperation. The delegation expressed sincere appreciation for the warm hospitality and the opportunity to engage with distinguished members of the Chamber.

The 7th Japanese Business Delegation to the UAE concluded successfully, reflecting the strong collaboration and exceptional support extended by public and private sector partners across Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Sharjah, and reinforcing the growing momentum for sustainable investment cooperation between Japan and the UAE.