Page 834 - MOE ENGLISH PR REPORT - FEBRUARY 2025 Part 1

non-oil trade in 2024 reached about $17.7bn, an increase of 2.2 percent compared to 2023 and a
growth of 32 percent compared to 2021.

“Japan is the ninth-largest trading partner of the UAE globally, while the country is Japan’s first trading
partner in the Gulf region.

“The two countries launched talks to reach a comprehensive economic partnership agreement last
November, and it is expected that we will complete this agreement before the end of this year, opening
up great horizons and providing promising opportunities for the private sector and business
communities on both sides to build long-term partnerships that contribute to joint economic growth.”

The Japan-Kyoto Trade Exhibition is set to become an annual fixture in the Middle East, providing a
platform for Japanese businesses to showcase their products and services while enabling UAE-based
enterprises to explore new commercial opportunities.

Organised by Maico Enterprise, the exhibition aligns with the growing interest of Japanese companies
in expanding their footprint in the UAE and the broader Middle East, particularly as the two nations
advance negotiations on a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA).

Mai Sakaue, CEO of Maico Enterprise and Chair of the Executive Committee for the Japan Trade
Exhibition, emphasised the event’s significant growth in participation, with more than 100 exhibiting
companies and brands.

This expansion underscores the UAE’s importance as a gateway for Japanese businesses seeking
regional expansion. Additionally, more than 20 Japanese companies will attend to explore future
participation.

On September 18, 2024, the UAE and Japan initiated discussions on a Comprehensive Economic
Partnership Agreement (CEPA) to unlock new economic collaboration opportunities and drive
sustainable growth.

The Japan Trade Exhibition, taking place from February 10-12, 2025, highlights a diverse array of
Japanese companies from sectors including:

• Technology
• Artificial intelligence
• Aerospace
• Food industries
• Engineering
• Sustainability
• Tourism
• Healthcare
• Arts and crafts

The exhibition aims to explore trade and investment prospects while leveraging Dubai’s strategic
location as a global business hub.

As the first comprehensive platform dedicated to showcasing Japanese innovation in the UAE and GCC,
the exhibition offers an unparalleled opportunity to connect with industry leaders, buyers, retailers,
and key decision-makers across multiple sectors in Japan, the UAE, and the wider Middle East. It also
fosters cultural exchange between the two nations.

Sakaue said: “We are thrilled to launch the second edition of the Japan Trade Exhibition, a unique
platform for Japanese industries to establish strong business ties with UAE companies while
celebrating Japan’s rich industrial and cultural heritage.”

https://www.arabianbusiness.com/politics-economics/uae-japan-trade-hit-17-7bn-in-2024-dubai-
exhibition-highlights-opportunities