Abdullah Al Rushud

JEDDAH: On Jan. 19, the Japan Cooperation Center for the Middle East (JCCME) held a Business Chance Virtual Seminar to introduce investment opportunities in Japan for potential Saudi Arabia’s investors, supported by the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce & Industry (JCCI).

The seminar started with an opening speech by Izuru Niimura, the Japanese Consul General in Jeddah. He introduced investment opportunities between the two countries, then six Japanese companies gave presentations, under coronavirus measures.

The first presenter for the participating Japanese companies was Toru Namiki, the founder of the application service provider XPAND K.K., founded in 2017.

He explained the possibility of using codes as a sticker on masks, which can be read on road signs and on mobile phones to identify a person.

The participant that followed, Tomoko Fujihira, was from Su Ra La Net Co., Ltd., which was founded in 2008 to develop systems for the global education sector. The company provides marketing and promotion support for e-learning programs that teach math, English, and other subjects without direct human contact in Indonesia, India, and mainly Saudi Arabia in the Middle East.

Akihiro Nishimura of ZMP Inc., a company that specializes in robotics technology also explained about mainly humanoid robots and highly safe logistics robots for factories, etc. He stated that it is possible to provide robot and related services that is already being provided to 300 companies in Japan to the Middle East, mainly Saudi Arabia.

Kentaro Suzuki of Canon Medical Systems Corporation, established in 1930 specializing in information systems for medical equipment. He explained the development, manufacture, sales and technology service system for medical devices provided to 150 countries (including diagnostic X-rays), medical X-ray CT systems, magnetic resonance imaging systems, diagnostic ultrasound systems, diagnostic nuclear medicine systems, medical sample testing devices, and information systems of medical devices. He stated he wanted to provide these to other companies like with the Gulf Medical Company, partnered since six years ago.

Satoru Kanazawa of the JNISA, a general incorporated association set up in 2018, said he wants to bring Japanese style nails to the Middle East, mainly Saudi Arabia, in order to increase the number of clients from the current number of Japanese clients of 600.

Rei Isobe of IRIS OHYAMA Inc., a company specializing in delivering solutions for everyday life, explained the company’s smart products, including the air circulator Sharif Jamil that’s perfect for any season. She said she wanted to provide these products to the Middle East, mainly to Saudi Arabia.

Finally, Sheikh Mohammad Youssef Naghi, the chairman of JCCI said: “We sincerely thank Mr. Izuru Niimura, Japanese Consul General in Jeddah, Japan Desk members of the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce & Industry, and Japan Cooperation Center for the Middle East who worked hard to make this webinar useful.”

He further commented saying: “Japan is an important partner for Saudi Arabia in terms of business, economy, as well as culture and history. The Jeddah Chamber of Commerce & Industry will support the cooperation between the JCCME and each branch of the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce & Industry and work to strengthen the economic relationship between Saudi Arabia and Japan under the Saudi Arabia Vision 2030. Saudi Arabia’s vision shall be achieved.”