Japan has confirmed its participation at the 2015 edition of the World Future Energy Summit (WFES) and International Water Summit (IWS) next January.

The events which take place during Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week – hosted by Masdar – will offer Japanese companies a window into the UAE and GCC region’s growing clean energy and water industries.

The announcement was made following a visit to Tokyo this week by a UAE delegation that included Matthew Griffiths, director of water strategy and reuse at Abu Dhabi’s Regulation and Supervision Bureau, and Naji El Haddad, WFES show director.

The delegation outlined the commercial opportunities for inward investment as the region diversifies its energy mix, water resources and steps up its sustainability ambitions, a statement said.

In a presentation to the Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry and Japanese corporations, the delegation highlighted that the GCC region is expected to spend $300 billion on water technology and desalination projects between now and 2022. Similarly, the Middle East and North Africa (Mena) region has allocated $50 billion to renewable energy deployment until 2020.

Tadashi Mitsugi, director of the Japan Cooperation Center for the Middle East (JCCME) said: “The Mena region is one of the most exciting markets for clean technology development, water treatment and natural resources management in the world. Rising energy and potable water demands, combined with huge solar and wind potential and strong leadership in the move towards sustainability, make it an attractive market for Japanese environmental technology companies.

“Nowhere is this truer than in Abu Dhabi, and we look forward to exploring the emerging opportunities the region’s flagship future energy event offers us.”   -TradeArabia News Service