Abu Dhabi, December 08, 2016: H.E. Abdullah Al Saleh, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Economy for Foreign Trade and Industry, recently met with H.E. Yoshio Kishimoto, Director General of International Affairs at the Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, and his accompanying delegation at the Ministry’s office in Abu Dhabi.

The meeting highlighted developments in economic and trade cooperation between the two countries and discussed ways to strengthen their partnership, particularly in sectors of common interest that drive the UAE’s National Agenda and Innovation Strategy. The two sides also touched on their coordination in signing a memorandum of cooperation on small and medium-sized enterprises and innovation sectors which is expected to be signed next month during the visit of the Japanese Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry to the UAE at the head of an esteemed economic delegation. The proposed agreement aims to share knowledge and benefit from the experiences of the two countries in the fields of innovation and entrepreneurship.

H.E. Al Saleh said that relations between Japan and the UAE have been steadily growing due to the two friendly countries’ mutual desire to extend cooperation and take advantage of their capabilities and available capacities to develop partnerships that serve their respective development goals.

For his part, H.E. Kishimoto emphasized the outstanding development of economic and trade ties between the two countries and expressed his country's eagerness for closer cooperation and the  exchange of  experiences and expertise particularly in areas of mutual interest.