Mansouri in Japan to review trade prospects

Tokyo - Al Mansouri extended an invitation to Japanese businessmen and investors to visit the UAE and explore investment opportunities.

Sultan bin Saeed Al Mansouri, UAE Minister of Economy, and Yoichi Miyazawa, Japanese Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry, discussed cooperation between the two countries in the economic and trade fields and opportunities for future investment.
During the meeting, which was held in Tokyo on the sidelines of the visit of the UAE delegation to Japan to review the prospects of bilateral relations, the two sides also agreed to sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) in the field of small and medium enterprises (SMEs), allowing the exchange of expertise and to take advantage of Japan's experience in this regard.
The two ministers gave instructions for forming a joint working group of both countries to start the necessary procedures to prepare the MoU according to a specific timetable.
Al Mansouri said the UAE and Japan have strong relations. He said Japan is a strategic trade partner to the UAE as the size of non-oil trade amounted to about $14 billion at the end 2014, noting that the numbers can be improved in light of the capabilities of the two countries.
He added that the UAE is considered a good destination for family tourism, pointing out that one of the key challenges facing tourism exchange growth between the two countries is the lack of direct flights, which should be improved in the future.
Al Mansouri extended an invitation to Japanese businessmen and investors to visit the UAE and explore the promising investment opportunities in various sectors.
The Japanese Minister said the UAE is the second largest supplier of oil to Japan and is among its top strategic partners. He praised the strong relations between his country and the UAE in various sectors.
He referred to the many Japanese companies located in the UAE, especially in the food sector and medical fields, in addition to companies that have the desire to enter the UAE market and access markets in the Middle East, especially in the areas of technology and renewable energy.
He expressed his country's desire to strengthen cooperation with the UAE and the exchange of experience in areas of common interest. He noted the importance of Al Mansouri's visit and his participation in the Japan-UAE Business Forum, referring to the importance of such visits in strengthening cooperation.