Saif Mohammed Al Hajeri, Chairman of Abu Dhabi's Department of Economic Development, ADDED, and Hiroshige Seko, Japanese Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry, have discussed means to reinforce economic and investment cooperation between the Emirate of Abu Dhabi and Japan.

During a meeting today, the two sides discussed mutual cooperation in the investment field and the industrial sector by addressing the ways to reinforce investment opportunities for Japanese companies in a number of economic sectors in the emirate, in addition to providing support and promotion for small and medium-sized enterprises between the two sides.

Al Hajeri also examined with the Japanese Minister the meetings’ results of the Fifth Session of Abu Dhabi – Japan Economic Council held in Tokyo in July. The meeting led to the formation of a joint work team that facilitates the implementation of projects as part of the work teams operating under the council which are concerned with the health, energy, education, transfer of technology and economic knowledge fields.

The two sides emphasised their keenness to activate and develop the role of Abu Dhabi-Japan Economic Council with respect to reinforcing the level of economic relations between the two sides, especially the investment projects that are available in both Abu Dhabi and Japan to enable the council to support and strengthen the economic ties and develop trade exchange, services and investments between the two countries.

Al Hajeri said that the government of Abu Dhabi is keen on continuing its quest to reinforce the economic relations with Japan, which is one of Abu Dhabi’s biggest strategic partners in the region. The total volume of non-oil trade between Abu Dhabi and Japan surpassed AED9 billion at the end of 2016.

"We in Abu Dhabi and through the directions of our leadership are about to enter a new stage in which we will build a technology and knowledge-based economy. This will help us achieve sustainability in the various non-oil sectors and would serve as a translation of the goals and foundations of Abu Dhabi Economic Vision 2030 which in itself is a main factor in opening wider prospects for quality investments that target the strategic sectors that rely on technology and innovation," Al Hajeri continued.

Seko affirmed that Japan fully supports all of the topics that were discussed in the Tokyo meeting and emphasised his country’s keenness to reinforce its economic relations with Abu Dhabi in a number of strategic sectors, most importantly advanced technology, energy and small and medium-sized enterprises.