Abu Dhabi - Mubasher: Recent data issued by the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) showed that the UAE is the largest market for Japanese exports in the Middle East, with a total export value of $11.3 billion (AED 41.5 billion) during the period from January to November 2024.

The data showed that the UAE accounted for more than 45% of Japan's trade with Middle Eastern countries, which amounted to $24.7 billion during the period from January to November 2024.

According to official data issued by the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Center in the UAE, Japan ranked ninth on the list of the UAE's largest trading partners in the first nine months of 2024, with a total of AED 45.4 billion, while Japan ranked fifth as the largest market for non-oil imports to the UAE during the same period.

On September 18, the UAE and Japan announced the start of talks on reaching a comprehensive economic partnership agreement, which aims to open new horizons of development partnership to support the prosperity and sustainable economic growth of the two countries and their peoples.

The Japanese Maiko Enterprises, the organizer of the Japan/Kyoto Trade Fair, whose second edition will kick off at the Dubai World Trade Center tomorrow, Sunday, expects the coming period to witness strong growth in trade volumes and foreign direct investment flows between the UAE and Japan.

The exhibition comes to enhance the great interest shown by the private sector and Japanese companies to explore expansion and growth opportunities in the UAE and the region, coinciding with the launch of comprehensive economic partnership negotiations between the two countries.

The event will host over 100 exhibitors, companies and Japanese emerging brands, covering industries such as technology, robotics, aerospace with one of the most cutting-edge technologies for digital space, food and beverage, healthcare and cosmetics.