A Peninsula of Opportunities
The whole Arabian Peninsula is betting big on technology as they slowly transform from an oil-based economy. In the process, a wealthy market for futuristic technologies is emerging in the middle east. Countries with matured technology ecosystems, like Japan, are taking charge of this lucrative opportunity already. It’s been only days since the UAE and Japan inked 23 agreements and memoranda of understanding (MoUs) during the UAE-Japan Business Forum. The countries agree on cooperating in bolstering economic, trade, and investments between the two countries in the fields of energy, industry, advanced technology, artificial intelligence, space, health, transport, environmental conservation, and circular economy.
Commenting on the occasion, the UAE’s Minister of Economy, Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri, reminisced about the long-standing historical ties and strategic partnership between the UAE and Japan while also asserting augmenting the leading model of cooperation that the two countries established throughout the past five decades. The minister also called on Japanese businesses to leverage the facilities offered by the UAE market, highlighting the market’s high standards of quality, credibility, and excellence, among others. Another interesting thing pointed out was this occasion being a gateway to the MENA markets that offer access to a consumer base of 400 million people. It’s a priceless opportunity for business in Japan. However, it also comes with a fair amount of challenges, especially in terms of the huge demand and skyrocketing cyber security challenges. With this special issue, we shed light on exceptional business leaders in Japan who manifest excellent capabilities to take these opportunities with both hands. Do let us know your thoughts.