The Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (Dewa), in cooperation with the Japan External Trade Organisation (Jetro), recently organised a Dewa-Japan business seminar and networking day, which saw the participation of over 50 Japanese companies.
The seminar supports Dewa’s efforts to strengthen relationships with Japanese companies. Dewa invited Japanese companies to participate in the 18th Water, Energy, Technology and Environment Exhibition (Wetex 2016) and the first Dubai Solar Show from October 4 to 6.
The seminar was attended by Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, managing director and CEO of Dewa; Hisashi Michigami, Consul General of Japan in Dubai; Masami Ando, managing director of Jetro; and other officials from Jetro and Dewa.
Al Tayer expressed his hope that the seminar would enhance bilateral trade between the UAE and Japan. He invited Japanese companies to explore investment opportunities in Dubai, the UAE and the region in energy, renewable energy, water and the environment.
“The UAE is one of Japan’s major bilateral trade partners, having done over $51 billion of business in 2014, with non-oil trade between the two countries reaching $15 billion in 2015. Over 300 Japanese companies work in the UAE, 250 of which are in Dubai. In light of the growth in Dubai and the UAE in all walks of business, these figures will grow further where Dubai offers promising opportunities to Japanese companies, especially with the emirate’s ambitious vision being realised by its major projects,” said Al Tayer.
“These include the Smart Dubai initiative launched by Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to make Dubai the happiest city in the world, and to become the innovation benchmark for smart cities seeking global sustainability and competitiveness. Dewa is a strategic partner and actively contributes to achieve this initiative by implementing major projects in collaboration with our partners in the public and private sectors,” added Al Tayer.
Al Tayer emphasised that Dubai has a clear strategy for sustainable development based on the Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050. The strategy aims to provide seven per cent of Dubai’s energy from clean sources by 2020; 25 per cent by 2030; and 75 per cent by 2050.
“To realise Dewa’s vision to become a sustainable, innovative world-class utility, we work with our partners in implementing mega and pioneering projects. We cooperate with them to enhance operations and improve quality and excellence.”
Michigami noted that Japanese companies consider Dubai a major business hub in the Middle East and North Africa. He invited Japanese companies to explore investment opportunities in Dubai, adding that Japan has a lot to offer in the areas of smart cities, energy, water and environmental technologies.
Source: Khaleej Times
