Amin Abbas

DUBAI: The 41th edition of GITEX, the region’s largest technology event was held from Oct. 17 – 21 in Dubai, where the Japanese pavilion participated.

Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) organized the pavilion, “J-Startup” with a total of 20 Japanese tech companies that participated.

Chiharu Yamamura, Director of JETRO Dubai, said: “15 [of the 20 Japanese startups] exhibited in person and 5 were online. So, we did a ‘hybrid’ participation.”

Yamamura said the effect of COVID-19 is still present and was especially felt in terms of travel restrictions.

“One of the biggest concerns was the quarantine process when they go back to Japan. They have to do at least a 10-day quarantine, which may affect their on-going business as most of who were planning to travel are C-Level of the companies.”

JETRO’s director said that GITEX was a good way to show that everyone was “back in business.”

“So many people came to the show with quite positive mind. We saw almost the same traffic as ‘pre-covid’ period,” he added.

Japan had its biggest pavilion ever at GITEX 2021. “We have been participating at GITEX Future Stars since 2016, meaning this is our 6th participation in a row. That shows Japan has more interests in Dubai or Middle East market, as well as appetite to get connected with investors here,” Yamamura said.

The event applied rigorous health and safety standards as laid out by government authorities in the UAE to ensure the health and safety of everyone on its premises during the pandemic.