Latest news with #trade mission
Zawya
10 hours ago
- Business
- Zawya
Emirates Franchise strengthens Japan ties through Expo 2025 Osaka Mission
Abu Dhabi: The Emirates Franchise, an affiliate of the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry, led a high-level trade mission to Japan from June 18 to 23, 2025, coinciding with Expo 2025 Osaka in Japan. The mission aimed to highlight the advanced UAE model in the franchising sector, reflecting the development of the business environment in the UAE and its regional leadership in this field. The delegation was headed by Her Excellency Noor Al Tamimi, Chairman Emirates Franchise - Board Member of the Abu Dhabi Chamber and included senior representatives from across the UAE's business ecosystem. Among them were Dr. Ahmed Al Shemili, Acting General Manager of the Ras Al Khaimah Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Ms. Hamda Al Suwaidi, Technical Director of the Association, and Ms. Ahood Salah Almenhali, Events Coordinator. During visits to Tokyo and Osaka, the delegation met with the Japanese Franchise (JFA) engaged with economic institutions and companies interested in entering the UAE market. Discussions focused on fostering collaboration, showcasing the UAE's growing franchising opportunities, and outlining the Association's strategic plans to attract global brands and supporting the international expansion of local franchises. H.E. Noor Al Tamimi affirmed that this mission marks a key milestone in strengthening the global presence of Emirati franchising and reinforcing the UAE's position as a hub for innovative business models. 'She pointed out that the participation is a part of the Association's efforts to empower national brands, open new channels for international cooperation, and facilitate the exchange of knowledge and best practices in line with the UAE's goals for international expansion. She added, 'Our engagements with public and private stakeholders in Japan emphasised the Association's role as a key enabler of franchise sector growth. These efforts contribute to building meaningful partnerships that transcend borders and highlight the UAE's appeal as a destination for high-value international brands.' On the sidelines of the visit, H.E. Al Tamimi explored with Mr. Yoshiteru Obinata, Executive Director of JFA, collaboration opportunities and knowledge exchange between the two sides. The discussion covered JFA's structure, which includes over 470 franchisors and 1,286 brands, and its role in advancing the sector through education, training, and sector development. The UAE delegation outlined its strategy to strengthen the global footprint of Emirati franchises and deepen cooperation with global partners. At the UAE Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka, an introductory tour was held for both UAE and Japanese delegations, highlighting national achievements in innovation across sectors such as space, healthcare, and sustainability. The Emirates Franchise delegation, along with representatives from the Japan Franchise (JFA), toured the UAE pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka, highlighting the UAE's efforts in innovation, with a focus on the space, healthcare, and sustainability sectors. During the visit, H.E. Al Tamimi presented the Association's vision to empower local brands and attract leading international franchises, enhancing the UAE's presence on the international franchise map. H.E. Dr. Al Shemili commended the Association for its leadership in organising the mission, while Ms. Sheikha Al Ketbi, Deputy Commissioner-General of the UAE Pavilion, praised the delegation's proactive engagement with Japanese and global stakeholders. The tour included visits to pavilions of other participating countries, where global experiences were explored and knowledge was exchanged on best practices in the franchising sector and sustainable development, reinforcing the Association's international visibility and ongoing efforts to promote Emirati brands on the global stage. The delegation also met with numerous Japanese companies interested in entering the UAE market. Mr. Sho Hideteki, from Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO), expressed full support for facilitating market entry through collaboration with the Association and the Abu Dhabi Chamber. As part of the programme, the delegation participated in the "Prosperous Franchising: From the UAE to Osaka and Beyond" session held at the UAE Pavilion, attended by JETRO officials and Japanese business representatives. The session highlighted the UAE's supportive business environment and franchising opportunities, creating pathways for future partnerships within the Japanese market and beyond. The delegation's visit resulted in tangible outcomes including strengthened cooperation with Japanese franchising institutions, the activation of a partnership agreement between the Abu Dhabi Chamber and JETRO, and the establishment of direct communication channels to facilitate the entry of Japanese companies into the UAE market.
Zawya
4 days ago
- Business
- Zawya
Sharjah Chamber wraps up trade mission to India, strengthens industrial cooperation at private sector level
Sharjah: The Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI), represented by the Sharjah Exports Development Centre (SEDC), concluded its trade mission to India, with a series of business meetings and discussions involving key officials from economic entities in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. These meetings took place on the sidelines of the Business Forum organized by the Sharjah Chamber in Ahmedabad, the second stop of the mission. The forum explored key opportunities for both sides to strengthen economic partnerships and deepen industrial and investment collaboration between Emirati and Indian private sector stakeholders. The forum was attended by H.E. Abdallah Sultan Al Owais, Chairman of SCCI; H.E. Waleed AbdelRahman BuKhatir, Second Vice Chairman of SCCI; and H.E. Jamal Mohamed Sultan Binhuwaidin, SCCI Board Member. Also present were Abdul Aziz Al Shamsi, Assistant Director-General for Communication and Business Sector at SCCI; Ali Abdullah Al Jari, Director of the Sharjah Export Development Centre; and Jamal Saeed Bouzanjal, Director of Corporate Communication at SCCI; along with several Chamber staff. The forum also saw participation of business leaders, entrepreneurs and private sector representatives from both Sharjah and Ahmedabad, which is recognized as a major industrial hub in India. The forum's agenda included focused B2B meetings and detailed presentations highlighting key investment opportunities across diverse economic sectors in both Sharjah and Ahmedabad. Special emphasis was placed on Sharjah's business-friendly environment, including its world-class infrastructure and investor incentives. The Sharjah Chamber showcased its suite of support services aimed at enabling entrepreneurs to scale their operations and expand their global market reach. In his keynote speech, H.E. Abdallah Sultan Al Owais said that the Sharjah–India Business Forum in Ahmedabad is part of ongoing efforts to strengthen the rapidly growing economic and trade relations between the two countries. He noted that India's exports to the UAE totaled around USD 37.1 billion in 2024. India also ranked as the top destination for the UAE's non-oil exports, accounting for 13.5% of total exports and recording a record growth of 75.2% compared to 2023. 'Through this mission, we aim to convert this positive momentum into fruitful partnerships between the business communities of the UAE and India in general, and between Sharjah and Ahmedabad in particular, thereby enhancing economic and investment collaboration to support joint growth,' Al Owais added. He highlighted Sharjah's position as a premier investment destination for Indian enterprises, with more than 20,000 Indian companies now headquartered in the emirate, demonstrating increasing investor confidence in Sharjah's business climate. He further underlined the strategic significance of Ahmedabad as one of India's most vibrant industrial and economic powerhouses, noting that its business and industrial stakeholders stand to benefit from Sharjah's advanced industrial base, which hosts more than 35% of the UAE's total manufacturing facilities. Concluding the second leg of their trade mission to India, the Sharjah Chamber delegation carried out on-site visits to several economic institutions in Ahmedabad, where they gained insights into their business activities and service offerings. These visits featured discussions on potential areas of cooperation, industrial integration, exchange of expertise, and the adoption of best practices, with the aim of establishing investment partnerships that serve the interests of both sides. For further information, please contact: - Ali Elgendy Misbar Communications ali@ Ahmad Aldwairi Misbar Communications
