Faris Alrushud 

RIYADH : The first branch of the Japanese franchise Komonoya officially opened in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on October 29.

The event was attended by Japanese Counselor Mr. Nakashima Yoichi, the Second Secretary at the Embassy of Japan in Riyadh Mr. Takashi Hayasaka, JETRO Managing Director Mr. Hideki Sho, and the CEO of the intermediary company Mr. Abdullah AlRushud.

Customers can find a selection of household utensils, office and bedroom organizers, pedicures products, makeup, toys and garden supplies.

Mr. Nakashima commented about Komonoya saying “It is a shop that sells Japanese daily necessities like the kitchen utensils, clothes, cosmetics, etc.) at reasonable prices in Saudi Arabia. Please come and visit the shop.”

Mr. Walied Alnajim, the owner of Komonoya, has mentioned his plan to expand within Saudi Arabia.

Alnajim said: “Today, we witness the first fruit of our cooperation with Japanese companies and putting it into action and we seek to enter into agreements with more than six Japanese companies. We will be their dealers as we will open up sales outlets in our country and give the Japanese products the chance to enter the Saudi market.  As the Japanese products are famous for their high quality and innovative designs and many people do not know that there are Japanese companies specialized in making consumer products. Moreover, some think that the Japanese products are high-priced, but this is not true. Within the few coming years, we believe that the Japanese products will be competitive and take the lead.”

Also Mr. Abdullah Alrushud said: “We contributed to the establishment of the first branch of the Japanese company Komonoya in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia as an intermediary company. As we strive to connect both Saudi and Japanese companies by constantly providing business matching and Interpretation / translation services. We will continue doing our best”

Mr. Alnajim’s interest in trading started at 8 years old, he had a box of candies and started selling them to his friends and relatives as he grew he started buying the newest games and other products from far shopping centers and offered them for sale for friends and relatives as well.

Alnajim told us about how and why he admires the Japanese products, by emphasizing that the Japanese participants in the exhibitions are distinguished by a clear and distinctive way of presenting the products with good quality. He stated that Japan is unique at the business manners, good quality of services and products.

He has been in contact with an intermediary company that put him in contact with Komonoya in Tokyo which helped conclude an agreement after positive negotiations to gain the franchising rights.