METI Minister Seko Visits the United Arab Emirates (UAE)

（1）Meeting with Minister Abdullah (members of the royal family; accompanied by Minister Jaber)

Minister Seko confirmed the Japan-UAE cooperative relationship that has continued for the past half century and proposed further development of the bilateral relationship in the coming 50 years. In particular, from the viewpoint of further development of the cooperative relationship in the fields of oil and gas, Minister Seko encouraged Abu Dhabi to renew oil concessions on offshore oilfields whose terms will terminate in 2018, and gained understanding regarding this issue from Minister Abdullah.

Moreover, both sides exchanged views concerning potential cooperation in broad fields, including industrial diversification and human resource exchange, and they agreed on the promotion of specific efforts.

Meeting with Minister Abdullah

（2）Meeting with Minister Jaber, as Minister and as CEO of ADNOC

Minister Seko, CEO Jaber of ADNOC, and Mr. Keisuke Kuroki, President of the Japan Oil, Gas and Metals National Corporation (JOGMEC) signed a memorandum of cooperation aiming at the establishment of a strategic collaborative relationship between them ranging from upstream, midstream and downstream projects in the fields of oil and gas. Following this, they agreed that METI, ADNOC and JOGMEC will deepen discussions for embarking on joint projects in midstream and downstream fields and expand those joint projects while entering into new markets in Asian and other countries.

Moreover, Minister Seko encouraged, anew, the UAE to renew oil concessions on offshore oilfields possessed by Japanese companies, whose terms will terminate in 2018, and received a positive response from Minister Jaber.

UAE nationals, students of a Japanese school in Abu Dhabi, welcoming Minister Seko at an ADNOC site

Meeting with CEO Jaber, ADNOC

Attending signing ceremony for the MOC with CEO Jaber of ADNOC, and President Kuroki of JOGMEC

（3）Meetings with other dignitaries, Abu Dhabi, UAE

At the meeting with Chairman Khaldoon, known as the right arm of H.H. General Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Minister Seko exchanged views concerning cooperation in the field of oil, as well as cooperation in investment and in the fields of renewable energy and other industries.

At the meeting with H.E. Sultan Bin Saeed Al Mansoori, Minister of Economy, both sides agreed that they will encourage Japanese SMEs to develop business in the UAE and promote the exchange of economic missions. Moreover, at the meeting with H.E. Saif Mohamed Al Hajeri, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (DED), Minister Seko and Chairman Al Hajeri witnessed a signing ceremony concluding a document for starting New Project Facilitation Team, established under the Abu Dhabi-Japan Economic Council (ADJEC), and they agreed that both sides will intensively support projects that may contribute to industrial diversification.

At the meeting with H.E. Dr. (Ms.) Maitha bint Salem Al Shamsi, Minister of State, who leads national efforts for promoting women’s empowerment, both sides agreed that Japan and the UAE will enhance cooperation in expanding women’s networking events between the countries.

Meeting with Chairman Khaldoon

Meeting with Minister Mansoori

Meeting with Chairman Al Hajeri

Meeting with Minister Al Shamsi

Minister Seko also attended an inauguration ceremony of a platform established in Dubai to support Japanese SMEs in developing business in the UAE, and expressed his optimism for future deepening of business relationships of companies between Japan and the UAE.

Attending the inauguration ceremony with Minister Mansoori

Along with Minister Al Shamsi, who is in charge of efforts for women's empowerment, Minister Seko attended a networking session bringing together women leaders from Japan and the UAE, and exchanged views with participants from both countries. Following this, Minister Seko and Minister Al Shamsi made a statement that both countries will further promote women’s empowerment.

Networking session of women leaders from Japan or the UAE

Additionally, Minister Seko attended a joint reunion organized by the Japan Cooperation Center Petroleum (JCCP) and JOGMEC for graduates from JCCP and JOGMEC training programs. Jointly with H.E. Mr. Suhail Mohamed Al Mazrouei, Minister of Energy, Minister and CEO of ADNOC Jaber, and Minister Al Shamsi, Minister Seko attended the reunion and before the participants he expressed the importance of maintaining the Japan-UAE relationship for future generations, as seen in human resource exchanges between Japan and the UAE, an achievement developed through a year-long bilateral cooperative effort in human resource development and technologies in the field of oil.

Attending the JCCP-JOGMEC reunion of graduates from training programs

October 10, 2017

Petroleum and Natural Gas Division, Natural Resources and Fuel Department, Agency for Natural Resources and Energy