Japanese companies were urged to explore investment opportunities in Dubai and other parts of the UAE in the areas of energy, renewable energy, water, and environment.

“The UAE is one of Japan’s major bilateral trade partners, having posted a business of over $51 billion in 2014, with non-oil trade between the two countries reaching $15 billion in 2015," said Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, managing director and CEO of Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (Dewa), participating in the Dewa-Japan Business Seminar & Networking event.

The event, organised by Dewa in cooperation with the Japan External Trade Organisation (Jetro), was attended by over 50 Japanese companies and was held at Dewa’s Sustainable Building in Al Quoz.

The seminar supports Dewa’s efforts to enhance networking and strengthen relationships with Japanese companies.

During the seminar, Dewa invited Japanese companies to participate in the 18th Water, Energy, Technology, and Environment Exhibition (Wetex 2016) and the 1st Dubai Solar Show from October 4-6.

The seminar was attended by Hisashi Michigami, consul general of Japan in Dubai; Masami Ando, managing director of Jetro; Dewa’s executive vice presidents and vice presidents, and officials from Jetro and Dewa.

Al Tayer hoped that the seminar will help enhance the bilateral trade between the UAE and Japan that has grown continuously over the past few years.

"Over 300 Japanese companies work in the UAE, 250 of which are in Dubai. In light of the growth in Dubai and the UAE in all walks of business, these figures will grow further where Dubai offers promising opportunities to Japanese companies, especially with the ambitious vision of the emirate being realised by its major projects," he said.

"These include the Smart Dubai initiative launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to make Dubai the happiest city in the world, and to become the innovation benchmark for smart cities seeking global sustainability and competitiveness. Dewa is a strategic partner and actively contributes to achieve this initiative by implementing major projects in collaboration with our partners in the public and private sectors.

"Dewa has launched three pioneering initiatives that support the Smart Dubai initiative. These are Shams Dubai to encourage building owners to install photovoltaic panels to generate electricity and connect it to Dewa’s grid, Smart Applications through Smart Meters and Grids, and the Green Charger to set up the infrastructure and install electric-vehicle charging stations across the Emirate,” added Al Tayer.

Al Tayer emphasised that Dubai has a clear strategy for sustainable development based on the vision of Sheikh Mohammed, who launched the Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050 in November 2015. The strategy aims for 7 per cent of Dubai’s energy to be provided by clean sources by 2020, 25 per cent by 2030 and 75 per cent by 2050.  - TradeArabia News Service