Arab News Japan

TOKYO: The Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO) signed on Monday two strategic agreements with leading Japanese institutions, Mizuho Financial Group and ITOCHU Corporation, during the Abu Dhabi Investment Forum (ADIF) in Tokyo.

These partnerships aim to fast-track Japanese investment into Abu Dhabi and facilitate the expansion of Japanese companies across the emirate’s high-growth sectors.

According to the Emirates News Agency (WAM), the agreement with Mizuho Financial Group, one of Japan’s largest and most influential financial institutions, will streamline investor access to Abu Dhabi, support business expansion and open new channels for cross-border capital flows.

Under this agreement, ADIO and Mizuho will jointly promote Abu Dhabi’s investment opportunities to Japanese investors.

ADIO will offer tailored insights into the emirate’s regulatory environment and key sectors, while also organizing investor seminars and business missions. Mizuho, with its vast institutional network and customer base, will act as a gateway for Japanese enterprises seeking long-term, high-return investments.

WAM reported that Badr Al-Olama, Director-General of ADIO, said: “Our agreement with Mizuho reflects a clear alignment of intent: to create structured, long-term pathways between Japanese investors and the exceptional opportunities emerging from Abu Dhabi’s economic transformation.”

Hidekatsu Take, Deputy President of Mizuho Financial Group, added: “Abu Dhabi stands at the forefront of global innovation and investment. We look forward to unlocking new growth for Japanese enterprises in Abu Dhabi and beyond.”

Simultaneously, ADIO signed another strategic agreement with ITOCHU Corporation, one of Japan’s most prominent trading and investment firms.

The partnership will support the market entry and scale-up of ITOCHU’s portfolio companies in Abu Dhabi’s priority sectors, including advanced manufacturing, agri-tech, clean and renewable energy, healthcare, ICT and logistics.

The agreement also paves the way for joint ventures and co-investment opportunities with Abu Dhabi-based partners, strengthening innovation-driven and sustainable economic growth.

ADIO will provide end-to-end support to ITOCHU’s portfolio companies while also initiating knowledge exchange and capacity-building programmes to develop local talent and strengthen value chains.

According to WAM, Kenji Otsuka, CEO for Middle East Bloc at ITOCHU, said: “Abu Dhabi presents a compelling platform for expansion. Through this partnership, we aim to support our portfolio companies in capturing the opportunities Abu Dhabi offers while contributing to the success of its economic transformation.”

This collaboration builds on ITOCHU’s existing commitment to sustainable development in the UAE, such as its 2023 feasibility study with EMSTEEL Group and AD Ports Group to develop a low-carbon iron supply chain in Abu Dhabi.