METI State Minister Iwata Visits the Sultanate of Oman and the United Arab Emirates

1. Oman

Meeting with Minister Al Yousef

State Minister Iwata stated that cooperation has been progressing in a wide variety of fields, including infrastructure, tourism, and the manufacture of hydrogen and ammonia, as well as energy. Following the meeting, the two sides signed a joint statement to further vitalize Japan-Oman business exchange and they showed their expectations that this statement will spur a stronger bilateral economic relationship.

Meeting with Deputy President Al-Jarf

Referring to the involvement of the Oman Investment Authority in many projects that Japanese companies have been advancing in Oman, State Minister Iwata proposed to seek the potential of working together in the field of semiconductors, one of the important strategic goods in terms of economic security, and Acting Deputy President Al-Jarf agreed with this proposal. Following the meeting, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry and the Oman Investment Authority signed an MOC to exchange views on the potential of working together in the field of semiconductors in Japan.

Taking this opportunity, State Minister Iwata and Acting Deputy President Al-Jarf witnessed the signing of a memorandum to assess products between a Japanese company and an affiliated company of the Oman Investment Authority.

Meeting with Undersecretary of State for Foreign Affairs Al Muslahi

Regarding Japan-Oman relationships, State Minister Iwata stated the importance of advancing specific projects as part of the cooperation not only in the fields of oil and gas but also in new fields, including semiconductors, hydrogen, and tourism.

2. The UAE (the Emirate of Abu Dhabi)

Attending the ADJEC meeting

State Minister Iwata attended a meeting of the ADJEC, a council aiming at the promotion of trade, services, and investments between Japan and the UAE, and delivered his remarks as a guest of honor. During his remarks, he mentioned the enhancement of economic ties, cooperation toward decarbonization, and so forth between Japan and the UAE based on the trusting relationship consolidated through Japan-UAE collaboration over the years, while referring to the public-private efforts in recent years.

Meeting with Chairman Al Zaabi

State Minister Iwata held a meeting with Chairman Al Zaabi and stated that Japan will endeavor to further develop cooperation not only in the field of energy but also in a wide variety of fields, including human resource development, decarbonization, cooperation in startups, and communication technology under the Japan-UAE Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Initiative (CSPI), a framework for Japan-UAE cooperation.

Related Material

• Joint Statement between the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry of Japan and the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion of the Sultanate of Oman on Cooperation to promote Business Exchange and Economic Relationship(PDF:101KB)

Division in Charge

Middle East and Africa Division, Trade Policy Bureau