Sunday, May 11, 2025
A high-level economic delegation from Abu Dhabi, spearheaded by the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED), has successfully wrapped up its visit to Japan. During the mission, the delegation formalized several agreements with both governmental bodies and private enterprises, aiming to strengthen collaboration across key industries and fast-growing economic sectors.
A dynamic Abu Dhabi economic delegation, featuring over eighty representatives from government agencies, private companies, startups, and SMEs, undertook a series of strategic engagements in Japan. The group held high-level discussions with senior Japanese government officials, major corporations, and leading investors to identify avenues for cooperation across critical sectors such as life sciences, green technology, artificial intelligence, digital infrastructure, robotics, advanced manufacturing, and financial services.
During the mission, the delegation toured prominent innovation platforms including Expo 2025 Osaka and SusHi Tech Tokyo. They also hosted key events such as the eleventh Abu Dhabi-Japan Economic Council (ADJEC) meeting, the Abu Dhabi Investment Forum (ADIF), and the Abu Dhabi-Japan Business Forum. These initiatives underscored shared economic interests and showcased how Abu Dhabi’s ‘Falcon Economy’ agenda is driving a transformation toward a smarter, more diversified, and sustainable economic future.
Coordinated in collaboration with the UAE Embassy in Tokyo, the Abu Dhabi delegation’s visit featured a series of high-level meetings with prominent Japanese officials and industry leaders. Key engagements included discussions with Hirofumi Yoshimura, Governor of Osaka; Yuriko Koike, Governor of Tokyo; Nobuhiko Yamaguchi, Vice Governor of Osaka; Ogushi Masaki, State Minister for Economy, Trade and Industry; Takeuchi Shinji, Parliamentary Vice-Minister for METI; and Kodaira Nobuyori, President of the Japan Cooperation Center for the Middle East (JCCME).
In addition to government leaders, the delegation held strategic talks with senior representatives from influential organizations and corporations, including the Osaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Japan Business Federation (Keidanren), and leading companies such as Sumitomo Corporation, Cosmo Energy, ITOCHU, and Toshiba.
Several landmark agreements were formalized during the Abu Dhabi delegation’s visit to Japan, signaling a deepening of bilateral cooperation. Among them was a strategic alliance between Emirates Driving Company and Zenmov, a prominent Japanese smart mobility firm, aimed at advancing innovative transport solutions. Additionally, the Abu Dhabi Chamber signed a collaborative agreement with the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) to strengthen commercial ties and unlock fresh opportunities for joint ventures and investment.
The visit also saw the Emirates Foundation’s Nema program enter into a partnership with the Japan International Cooperation Center (JICE). This collaboration is focused on supporting Nema’s mission to cut food loss and waste by fifty percent by the year 2030, aligning with the UAE’s National Food Security Strategy 2051 and the broader objectives of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
In 2024, trade between the UAE and Japan reached AED one hundred eighty-two point four billion (USD forty-nine point seven billion), marking a four point eight percent increase from AED one hundred seventy-four billion (USD forty-seven point four billion) in 2023. Non-oil trade also saw a rise of two point two percent, highlighting the strengthening economic partnership between the two nations. Over the past five years, UAE investments in Japan have doubled, while the UAE remains the primary destination for Japanese investments in the Middle East, accounting for eighty percent of the total.
The Abu Dhabi economic delegation was composed of high-ranking officials and business leaders from a broad range of public and private sector organizations. Participants included representatives from the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX), Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM), Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO), Abu Dhabi Customs, Khalifa Fund for Enterprise Development, Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ADCCI), ADNOC, KEZAD Group, Hub71, Abu Dhabi Airports, and other key enterprises across various industries.
