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- Parliamentary Vice-Minister Kato Holds Meeting with H.E. Dr. Jasem Al Budaiwi, Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)
Parliamentary Vice-Minister Kato Holds Meeting with H.E. Dr. Jasem Al Budaiwi, Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)
July 8, 2025
On Monday, July 7, Mr. Kato Akiyoshi, Parliamentary Vice-Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry, held a meeting with H.E. Dr. Jasem Al Budaiwi, Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), to exchange views on economic relations between Japan and the GCC.
During the meeting, Parliamentary Vice-Minister Kato mentioned that Japan has traditionally built friendly relations with countries in the Gulf region, which are critical for Japan’s energy security. He then expressed his hope that Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, which received the baton from Dubai and will pass it on to Riyadh, will be an opportunity to encourage further networking and mutual understanding between Japan and Gulf countries. Furthermore, regarding the Japan-GCC Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA), in which the second round of negotiations after the resumption of negotiations was held last week, both sides agreed to vigorously advance negotiations aiming to ensure mutual benefits.
Division in Charge
Middle East and Africa Division, Trade Policy Bureau