Investopia has launched its latest global dialogue, ‘Investopia Tokyo,’ aimed at fostering investment in emerging sectors such as the new economy, financial services, advanced manufacturing, entrepreneurship, small and medium enterprises (SMEs), and technology. This event also showcased key global trends in fast-growing industries, providing insights into financing opportunities in the UAE, Japan, and broader Asian markets.
The event, held in Tokyo, was organized in collaboration with the UAE Ministry of Investment, Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry, Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO), and the Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry. It attracted over 150 key dignitaries, business leaders, investors, and entrepreneurs. Notable attendees included His Excellency Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, UAE Minister of Economy and Chairman of Investopia; Her Excellency Alia bint Abdulla Al Mazrouei, Minister of State for Entrepreneurship; and His Excellency Shihab Ahmed Al Faheem, Ambassador of the UAE to Japan.
H.E. Bin Touq emphasized the strong economic ties between the UAE and Japan, stating that the event represented a unique opportunity to further strengthen their economic partnership, particularly in vital sectors like technology and innovation. He also highlighted the UAE’s significant economic transformation, noting that non-oil sectors now contribute 75% to the country's GDP, positioning the UAE as a global leader in the new economy by 2031.
H.E. Shihab Ahmed Al Fahim further stressed the importance of strengthening cooperation with Japan, underscoring the long-standing partnership between the two nations. H.E. Matsuo Takehiko, Vice-Minister for International Affairs at Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry, welcomed the collaboration and the opportunity to deepen business exchanges.
During the event, multiple panel discussions were held. Key topics included:
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Building Thriving Start-ups: This session focused on fostering entrepreneurship and advancing knowledge-based economies in both the UAE and Japan, with contributions from H.E. Al Mazrouei and H.E. Yuriko Koike, Governor of Tokyo.
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Investment Trends: The session highlighted evolving global investment climates and emerging opportunities, stressing the economic diversification efforts in both nations.
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Opportunities in Manufacturing: This panel discussed Japan’s expertise in precision engineering and how it complements the UAE’s drive for high-tech and sustainable manufacturing.
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Innovation and Technology: Deliberations centered around innovations in AI, robotics, fintech, and digital assets, with an emphasis on fostering collaboration between the UAE and Japan in these fields.
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The UAE as an Investment Destination: The final session showcased the UAE's growing appeal as a foreign investment hub, noting that it ranked second globally in new FDI projects in 2023, highlighting its stable and competitive investment environment.
Additionally, two roundtables were held, focusing on the UAE’s role as a gateway to the Middle East and exploring further opportunities for Japanese investments.
H.E. Bin Touq concluded by reiterating the UAE's strategic location, world-class infrastructure, and favorable economic policies, inviting Japanese businesses to seize the growing investment opportunities in the UAE to expand their operations and projects.