Arab News Japan

DUBAI: Abdel Latif Jameel Japan’s corporate office signs a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with The Garage, Saudi Arabia’s startup district of King Abdelaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST), to promote extensive business and commercial development in Saudi Arabia.

The announcement of the establishment of The Garage took place in February in Saudi Arabia’s biggest technology conference, LEAP22. 

Specializing in East-to-East business, promoting Japanese companies and start-ups, and maintaining the Middle East and Africa as a focal point are the main objectives of Abdel Latif Jameel Japan.

This agreement will provide an opportunity for promising Japanese start-ups a place in the competitive market allowing them to expand research, fundraising, and development of fields ranging from Life sciences to Industry 4.0.

The memorandum not only benefits promising innovative Japanese start-ups but also strengthens Saudi Arabia’s technology scene.

The MoU was signed in Tokyo by ENAMI Shigeki, the president and CEO of Abdel Latif Jameel Japan, and Omar Al Shabaan, CEO of The Garage. Attended the meeting was the president of KACST, Mounir bin Mahmoud El Desouky.

Al Shabaan mentioned that the idea behind the name The Garage was intended to incorporate a concept of inspiration saying, “The Garage was inspired by the origin stories of some of the world’s most successful tech companies like Apple, Google and Amazon, which famously launched their businesses from the inside of a garage.  Our aim is to create an environment that pays homage to this inspirational culture, which is synonymous with innovation. Through our partnership with Abdul Latif Jameel Japan, we hope to provide the perfect place for promising Japanese entrepreneurs and start-ups to turn their dreams into realities, and their ideas into innovations that can make untold contributions to Saudi Arabia and the realization of its ambitious plans for the future.”

Both Al Shabaan and Enami agreed that this partnership is a step forward into supporting vision 2030; as it creates a connecting bridge between innovative technology start-ups and potential investors.