Economic and business leaders from across the Middle East are meeting with their Japanese counterparts at the Japan Cooperation Forum for the Middle East in Dubai today. 

The two-day event, organised by the Japan Cooperation Centre for the Middle East (JCCME) aims to develop and enhance relations between Japan and the Mena region.

The forum will discuss ways to help develop Japan’s policy planning and approaches for economic cooperation with countries in the GCC and across the Mena region.

The Middle East is a key market for Japan, with recent reports citing a 27.5 per cent jump in exports from 2007.  Making up a large proportion of Japanese exports to the Middle East are Japanese cars and electronics.

'We are delighted to be here in the Middle East for the first time. Japan is known as the world’s most technically advanced nation, and consumers in the Mena region are among those embracing Japanese products and technologies,' said Jiro Nemoto, chairman of JCCME.
 
'We believe there are more opportunities for businesses and governments in the Mena region to work with their counterparts in Japan to develop partnerships, technologies and economic ties for mutual benefits,' he added.-TradeArabia News Service