An economic delegation from Abu Dhabi concluded a successful visit to Japan, with the two countries signing agreements to strengthen partnerships and boost bilateral trade and investments.
The Abu Dhabi economic delegation, led by the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED), comprising representatives from over 80 public sector entities, private enterprises, SMEs, and startups, engaged in high-level meetings with top government officials, key businesses and investors in Japan, exploring collaboration opportunities in across key sectors including life sciences, carbon-neutral technologies, AI, digital infrastructure, robotics, advanced manufacturing, and financial services.
The delegation visited Expo 2025 Osaka and SusHi Tech – Tokyo, and organised the 11th Abu Dhabi Japan Economic Council (ADJEC) meeting, the Abu Dhabi Investment Forum (ADIF) and Abu Dhabi-Japan Business Forum.
Twelve homegrown startups, supported by Hub71 and Khalifa Fund, participated in SusHi Tech – Tokyo, Asia’s startup and innovation conference, highlighting Abu Dhabi’s tech talent, solutions, and investment opportunities in innovation-driven industries.
“Guided by our leadership’s ambitious vision, we are doubling down on our efforts to future-proof the economy and cement Abu Dhabi’s stature as a rising economic powerhouse and a global hub for talent, business, investment, and trade,” explained Ahmed Jasim Al Zaabi, chairman of ADDED.
“Our visit to Japan presented a valuable opportunity to further strengthen our longstanding partnership by exploring new avenues of collaboration in various sectors. The agreements signed during this visit reinforce our commitment to deepening partnerships across priority industries and clusters to address giga shifts in the global economy. We remain committed to enhancing cooperation with key economies and trading partners, making human development and sustainability our top priorities to shape a brighter tomorrow.”
Signing the dotted line
Agreements signed during the visit included a strategic partnership for smart mobility solutions between Emirates Driving Company and Zenmov, a smart mobility company, and Abu Dhabi Chamber and the Japan External Trade Organization agreement to deepen business relations and create new opportunities for collaboration.
The Emirates Foundation’s Nema initiative and Japan International Cooperation Center also inked an agreement to bolster cooperation to support achieving Nema’s goal of reducing food loss and waste by 50 per cent by 2030, in line with the UAE’s National Food Security Strategy 2051 and UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Ahmed Alfaheem, ambassador of the UAE to Japan, commented: “Japan’s global leadership in digital innovation, smart infrastructure, sustainable mobility, and advanced manufacturing aligns closely with Abu Dhabi’s economic diversification goals and its ambition to build a resilient, knowledge-based, and climate-conscious economy.
“This mission represents a pivotal moment in our bilateral ties, as we prepare to activate transformative frameworks such as the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA). CEPA will provide unprecedented access to markets, streamline cross-border investment, and facilitate greater technological exchange between our nations. It is through such frameworks that we will unlock the full potential of UAE–Japan collaboration across sectors — from clean energy and AI to startups and industrial R&D.”
Bilateral trade between the UAE and Japan rose 4.8 per cent to AED182.4billion in 2024, compared to AED174billion in 2023. Non-oil trade grew 2.2 per cent over the same period, reflecting growing ties between the two economies. UAE investment in Japan has increased 100 per cent over the past five years, while the country accounts for 80 per cent of Japanese investments in the Middle East.
