Sharjah–Japan Business Forum Explores New Trade And Investment Opportunities For Economic Growth

The Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) recently collaborated with the Japan External Trade Organisation (JETRO) to host the Sharjah–Japan Business Forum. This event aimed to explore new avenues for trade and investment between the two nations. It provided a platform for investors and entrepreneurs from both countries to network directly, focusing on opportunities in advanced technology and industrial sectors.

During the forum, Mohammed Ahmed Amin Al Awadi, Director-General of SCCI, highlighted key growth indicators in UAE–Japan economic relations. He noted that the UAE is Japan’s top trade partner in the GCC, accounting for 52% of Japan’s exports to these markets. Japan ranks as the UAE's ninth-largest global trading partner. In 2024, bilateral trade reached approximately USD 49.6 billion, including petroleum products, with non-oil trade at around USD 17.5 billion.

Takafumi Suzuki, Executive Vice-President of JETRO, expressed gratitude for the Sharjah Chamber's efforts in organising the forum. He praised Sharjah's advanced infrastructure and regulatory environment, which make it an attractive destination for Japanese investments. Suzuki emphasised Japan's interest in expanding its regional operations from Sharjah to leverage available investment opportunities.

The forum featured structured bilateral meetings where investors discussed potential partnerships and explored ways to enhance communication between UAE-based investors and Japanese stakeholders. These sessions aimed to identify new avenues for expanding investment cooperation and establishing commercial partnerships.

The Sharjah Chamber reaffirmed its commitment to fostering cooperation with partners in both public and private sectors. It aims to facilitate access for the Japanese business community to investment opportunities in Sharjah, particularly within the small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) sector.

Imanishi Jun, Consul-General of Japan in Dubai, attended the event alongside other dignitaries. The programme underscored efforts to connect Sharjah’s innovation ecosystem with counterparts in Japanese cities. The Chamber encouraged Japanese companies to invest in Sharjah as a strategic base for manufacturing and export operations targeting the Middle East and Africa.

Suzuki highlighted that expanding operations from Sharjah would strengthen cooperation in technology, industry, and trade between Japan and the UAE. This expansion supports shared interests and advances economic growth in both markets.

The forum successfully showcased high-potential opportunities while deepening existing partnerships between business communities of both countries. It also provided a direct networking platform for investors and entrepreneurs from both sides.

With inputs from WAM