Abu Dhabi-Tokyo trade exchange

According to news reports published here, Chairman of Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (DED) Nasser Al Suwaidi has stated that the recent statistics showed that the value of total trade between the UAE and Japan during the period (Jan-Jun) 2011 increased by 30.5%, to reach $23.82 billion, compared to the same period in 2010. Moreover, UAE''s overall exports to Japan during the first half of 2011 amounted to $ 20.65 billion, compared to $14.67 billion for the same period in 2010, marking an increase by approximately 40%. This came in the opening address Nasser Al Suwaidi delivered at the Abu Dhabi-Tokyo Investment Forum 2012 which opened here last night and published here today by Dar Al-Khleej newspaper . The forum is aimed to strengthen the strategic partnership with Japan. The forum was organized by DED in cooperation with the Higher Corporation for Specialized Economic Zones (ZonesCorp) and attended . In opening remarks, Al-Suwaidi said: "for more than 40 years of mutual cooperation between Japan and the United Arab Emirates in general, and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi in particular, the two sides have experienced growing and sound bilateral relations within the international community. "The markedly dynamic relations between Abu Dhabi and Japan, is tan outcome of genuine and keen desire of top officials in both sides, to continuously promote and deepen mutual ties. "it is worth noting that the accelerating homogeneity of the Abu Dhabi-Japanese relations, perfectly enabled Abu Dhabi to become a key player in Japan-Middle East relations. This fact is clearly manifested, by the Department of Economic Development in Abu Dhabi, hosting of the office of the "Japanese Cooperation Center for the Middle East (JCCME)" in its headquarters since 2009, which in turn paved the way for the (35th Japan Cooperation Forum for the Middle East) to convene in Abu Dhabi in 2010," he further said. On the other hand, figures of non-oil trade between UAE and Japan during the first half of 2011 revealed a reduction by 9%, compared to the same period in 2010, where the drop was mainly in the Japanese exports to UAE, which decreased by 11%. The decline in Japanese exports to the UAE could primarily be attributed to the impact of the great East Japan earthquake on the 11th of March 2011, and its implication on various sectors. "In Abu Dhabi we perceived the latest world financial and economic crises, as a practical examination for checking the efficiency of our national economy, and our ability to deal with or adapt to sudden regional and international developments, in addition to realizing the degree of our openness towards the world economic system. The regional ongoing challenges, which include both economic slowdown and regional unrest, have undoubtedly proven, that the economic progress and stability that the emirate had accomplished over the last few years, was neither a coincidence nor a short-lived booming; however, it was the result of the sensible vision, sound planning and lucid thought of the emirate''s leadership. Evidently, Abu Dhabi''s economy has experienced an important shift along the recovery path in 2010, where total output grew by 15.9%, whereas non-oil GDP increased by 5.5% in 2010 compared to 1.3% in 2009, which in turn reflects improvement within non-oil activities. Moreover, non-oil GDP captured 50.3% of the emirate''s total GDP, while oil GDP accounted for 49.7% in 2010. This also mirrors the steady progress along the emirate''s diversification path," Al-Suwaidi added .(QNA) MD