Diana Farah

DUBAI: The first ever Japan-Kyoto Trade Exhibition (JKTE) opened its doors on Jan. 22, welcoming over 20 Japanese companies to exhibit their products and goods.

Located at the Dubai Trade Center, the exhibition is running until Jan. 24. On its opening day, Kyoto Prefecture’s Vice Governor Akimasa Yamashita joined the opening ceremony of the exhibition.

The event is co-sponsored by the Kyoto Prefectural Government.

Yamashita told Arab News Japan that once the exhibition ends and is a “hopeful success,” then Kyoto will consider holding similar events in Saudi Arabia and other countries around the Middle East.

He said that while there are differences between the city of Dubai and Kyoto, the two regions have similar goals.

“Both Kyoto and Dubai focus on tourism, the economy and climate change,” Yamashita explained. “When I visited COP28, I realized that we both want to solve the climate issues.”

Kyoto’s vice governor added that the exhibition is a way to expand trade and showcase the prefecture’s history and goods.

The JKTE is poised to fortify trade ties between the UAE and Japan, with over 200 exhibitor companies offering more than 1000 products and services.

On Jan. 18, Japan and the UAE signed 21 new MoUs in the trade, industry, technology, health, and investment sectors.

Sine Japanese Prime Minister KISHIDA Fumio’s visit to the Middle East last year, many economic agreements were signed. Renewed bilateral trade agreements were also signed in December.

The event aims to match companies with technology and content from Japan and Kyoto with royalty, VIPs, companies and investors, the Kyoto Prefecture said.

JKTE is expected to attract over 20,00 visitors from over 14 countries.