Latest news with #JETRO
Sharjah 24
a day ago
- Business
- Sharjah 24
Invest in Sharjah hosts business seminar in Tokyo
The seminar is organised in collaboration with the Japan External Trade Organisation (JETRO). It is part of the entity's 4-day visit to Japan from June 18 to 21, during which the Invest in Sharjah delegates are meeting with officials from Tokyo's and Osaka's chambers of commerce and innovation, as well as senior executives from Japan's leading corporations. Visit explores opportunities to merge Emirati and Japanese expertise in key sectors During its visit, the Invest in Sharjah delegates are holding meetings in Tokyo and Osaka with Creww, which supports the growth of entrepreneurs through a smart platform, and with Plug and Play Japan, a company specialized in driving innovation within large organizations to help them thrive in a fast-changing business landscape. Discussions focus on potential joint projects, and enabling access to Japanese financing models. Commenting on the visit, H.E. Mohamed Juma Al Musharrkh, CEO of Invest in Sharjah, said: 'Our visit reaffirms Sharjah's continued commitment to fostering strategic partnerships in future-focussed sectors with the world's leading economies. We regard Japan as a vital partner in our efforts to advance a more sustainable and innovation-driven global economy.' He added: 'The Discover Sharjah seminar enables us to discover new prospects for collaboration in technology, and advanced manufacturing. It also allows us a closer look into Japanese innovation ecosystems and business accelerators. We are confident that as we continue to align the new and emerging strengths within Sharjah's and Japan's business environments, we will build on our robust foundation of cooperation with long-term projects and strategic investments.' Forum spotlights Sharjah as a leading gateway for sustainable investment in Asia The seminar highlights the strategic advantages of investing in Sharjah's free zones, which offer competitive incentives aimed at attracting investment across key sectors. Discussions highlight significant prospects for collaboration in innovation, technology and the development of advanced technology industries. Participants are also exploring strategies to streamline licensing processes and facilitate the flow of capital within a stable and business-friendly environment that promotes sustainability and long-term growth. A legacy of cooperation The visit is a testament to the longstanding relations between the UAE and Japan, which began with the establishment of diplomatic ties in 1972 and have been further strengthened by the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA). Sharjah remains a preferred destination for Japanese investors and businesses. In 2024, trade between Japan and Sharjah reached AED 1.035 billion, with 90 Japanese companies operating in Sharjah's free zones and 19 on the mainland. Bilateral non-oil trade between the UAE and Japan exceeded $17.7 billion during the same period. Invest in Sharjah is dedicated to enhancing the emirate's global investment status. It organizes business seminars in key cities worldwide and within Sharjah, offering a platform for investors, officials, and private sector partners to explore opportunities, review projects, foster partnerships, and exchange insights on government initiatives and legislative updates, driving economic growth and strengthening international relations.
Zawya
a day ago
- Business
- Zawya
Invest in Sharjah hosts business seminar in Tokyo, strengthening partnerships in innovation and advanced tech
Mohamed Al Musharrkh: Japan is a vital partner in our efforts to advance a more sustainable and innovation-driven global economy. Seminar aims to strengthen partnerships in technology, innovation, smart solutions and advanced industries. The 4-day Japan tour includes IIS's visits to centres in Tokyo & Osaka that nurture business accelerators, start-up ecosystems, research and innovation. Trade between Japan and Sharjah reached approximately AED 1.035 billion in 2024. 90 Japanese companies operate in Sharjah's free zones, and 19 on the mainland. Tokyo: The Sharjah FDI Office (Invest in Sharjah) is organising a high-level business seminar in Tokyo, titled 'Discover Sharjah' to showcase the emirate's diverse investment opportunities - particularly in technology, smart solutions and advanced industries - to the Japanese business community. The seminar is organised in collaboration with the Japan External Trade Organisation (JETRO). It is part of the entity's 4-day visit to Japan from June 18 to 21, during which the Invest in Sharjah delegates are meeting with officials from Tokyo's and Osaka's chambers of commerce and innovation, as well as senior executives from Japan's leading corporations. Visit explores opportunities to merge Emirati and Japanese expertise in key sectors During its visit, the Invest in Sharjah delegates are holding meetings in Tokyo and Osaka with Creww, which supports the growth of entrepreneurs through a smart platform, and with Plug and Play Japan, a company specialized in driving innovation within large organizations to help them thrive in a fast-changing business landscape. Discussions focus on potential joint projects, and enabling access to Japanese financing models. Commenting on the visit, H.E. Mohamed Juma Al Musharrkh, CEO of Invest in Sharjah, said: 'Our visit reaffirms Sharjah's continued commitment to fostering strategic partnerships in future-focussed sectors with the world's leading economies. We regard Japan as a vital partner in our efforts to advance a more sustainable and innovation-driven global economy.' He added: 'The Discover Sharjah seminar enables us to discover new prospects for collaboration in technology, and advanced manufacturing. It also allows us a closer look into Japanese innovation ecosystems and business accelerators. We are confident that as we continue to align the new and emerging strengths within Sharjah's and Japan's business environments, we will build on our robust foundation of cooperation with long-term projects and strategic investments.' Forum spotlights Sharjah as a leading gateway for sustainable investment in Asia The seminar highlights the strategic advantages of investing in Sharjah's free zones, which offer competitive incentives aimed at attracting investment across key sectors. Discussions highlight significant prospects for collaboration in innovation, technology and the development of advanced technology industries. Participants are also exploring strategies to streamline licensing processes and facilitate the flow of capital within a stable and business-friendly environment that promotes sustainability and long-term growth. A legacy of cooperation The visit is a testament to the longstanding relations between the UAE and Japan, which began with the establishment of diplomatic ties in 1972 and have been further strengthened by the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA). Sharjah remains a preferred destination for Japanese investors and businesses. In 2024, trade between Japan and Sharjah reached AED 1.035 billion, with 90 Japanese companies operating in Sharjah's free zones and 19 on the mainland. Bilateral non-oil trade between the UAE and Japan exceeded $17.7 billion during the same period. Invest in Sharjah is dedicated to enhancing the emirate's global investment status. It organizes business seminars in key cities worldwide and within Sharjah, offering a platform for investors, officials, and private sector partners to explore opportunities, review projects, foster partnerships, and exchange insights on government initiatives and legislative updates, driving economic growth and strengthening international relations.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
JETRO and Coolwater Capital Launch Second Emerging VC Fund Accelerator to Strengthen Japan's Innovation Ecosystem
TOKYO, June 16, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Following the successful launch of its inaugural program, JETRO and Coolwater Capital are proud to announce Cohort 2 of the Emerging Fund Manager Accelerator. This initiative aims to equip Japan's next generation of venture capitalists with the tools and global perspective needed to build institutional-grade, globally competitive funds. The first cohort saw 17 GPs selected from hundreds of applicants across Japan, collectively targeting over $500M in fundraising. Highlights included in-depth training from leading U.S. VCs, a 125-person Japan Innovation Summit in San Francisco, and in-person visits to Tier 1 VC firms—marking a breakthrough in cross-border knowledge sharing. "We saw real traction—new fund launches, global LP engagement, and deep peer connections," said Winter Mead, Founder & CEO of Coolwater Capital. "Cohort 2 is about scaling that impact and deepening the infrastructure for Japan's VC future." JETRO echoed this sentiment: "The results of Cohort 1 proved Japan's potential on the global VC stage," said Tatsuhiko Shiono, Director of JETRO Startup. "We're thrilled to deepen our collaboration with Coolwater and help more fund managers go global." What's New in Cohort 2: Enhanced 1:1 fundraising and brand coaching Expanded shared services (LP strategy, IR, positioning) More localized support with hybrid delivery New podcast and content community for alumni Key Dates: Applications open: June 11, 2025 Deadline to apply: July 16, 2025 Program launch: September 9–11 in Tokyo, followed by weekly virtual modules Capstone: Coolwater Investor Summit, November 17–19 in New York The 3-month accelerator includes 8 modules plus networking events, office hours, and meetups. All programming is in English, with support for both in-person and online participation. Who Should Apply: Emerging VC managers, ex-founders, corporate spinouts, tech executives, and institutional investors with bold, Japan-focused investment theses. About Coolwater CapitalFounded in San Francisco, Coolwater has supported over 300 emerging funds globally, helping raise $5B+ and back more than 8,400 startups. About JETROThe Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) is a government agency committed to promoting innovation and supporting global trade and investment. View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Coolwater Capital Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
IOL News
5 days ago
- Business
- IOL News
GNU Extravagance Making a Mockery of Austerity Measures
Deputy President Paul Mashatile delivers opening remarks at a roundtable discussion with the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) on March 19, 2025. For the past few days, there has been a war of words among different constituencies regarding Mashatile's expenses on international trips, says the writer. Image: GCIS Prof. Bheki Mngomezulu When Deputy President Paul Mashatile appeared before Parliament to answer questions as is required in terms of the Constitution, he found himself having to respond to questions which went beyond his political work but touched on issues related to the current state of the country's finances. Dr Teboko Letlape from ActionSA asked for a complete updated breakdown of all official travels by Mashatile since he assumed office on 3 July 2024. This included information about the purpose of each visit and whether it was justified or not; details about the countries visited; costs involved on each trip; the names and roles of each member of the delegation; and any additional costs on each trip. While this appeared to be a normal question-and-answer session which both the President and Deputy President must honour, the questions triggered a debate which has caught the attention of many South Africans. For the past few days, there has been a war of words among different constituencies regarding Mashatile's expenses on international trips. The bone of contention is about the amounts involved in these international trips which include countries such as Botswana, France, Ireland, Japan, United Kingdom, and Zimbabwe. For the Japan trip, one source placed the figure at a staggering R580 582. Responding to this figure, Mashatile's office released a statement on 10 June 2025 arguing that most of the figures (including this one) were blown out of proportion. The statement said that the cost for the Japan trip was less than R66 000. Among other things, the statement reminded the country that South Africa must strengthen relations with other countries. It also indicated that some of Mashatile's trips were undertaken following President Ramaphosa's decision to delegate him (Mashatile) while he was busy with other assignments. To take the nation into confidence, Mashatile's office provided what it called 'correct' figures and other related information. While the question from ActionSA was fair, and while the response from Mashatile's office was justifiable and necessary, the main question becomes: what should South Africans focus on beyond being fixated on the debatable numbers that have been presented by different stakeholders? Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad Loading In addressing this question, we should not lose sight of the need for the executive members to execute their mandate. We should also not ignore the fact that it is important for our country to forge new relations while strengthening preexisting ones. Importantly, as part of multilateral institutions like G20 and others, South Africa must remain visible in the global arena. But, having said all that, there are many critical questions which have been invoked by the ongoing debate about Mashatile's international trips. The first question can be phrased as follows: given the country's economic situation, is it advisable for the executive to embark on too many trips which eat on the country's thin budget? A logical answer is an emphatic no! Any argument against too many trips should not be misconstrued to mean that there should be no international trip at all. Secondly, given the reasons provided by Mashatile's office, what is the role of South Africa's foreign missions or embassies? If our embassies have properly trained staff, can't they do some of the work which is done by the executive? In the same vein, given that most of the countries our executive visits have embassies with staff, is it not possible to use some of the staff members already stationed in those countries to assist our executive so that the delegation from South Africa could be trimmed to cut costs? In short, is there a return on investment when each member of the executive is accompanied by a big delegation? Is it wise for the South African government to equate itself with First World countries like America that can afford huge delegations? If the answer is in the negative, then we should cut the cloth according to our size. Another very critical question is about the political parties which were very critical of the ANC during their campaigns for the 2024 general election. What has become of their criticism? Have they suddenly lost voices? If they were critical of the ANC because they were listening to the cries of many South Africans, did they miraculously become 'deaf-mute' as soon as they signed the historic statement of intent which produced the multiparty coalition which is touted as the Government of National Unity (GNU)? The reality is that poverty is rife in South Africa. The high unemployment rate of 32.9 per cent is unacceptable. The high crime rate does not encourage foreign investment and tourism. Even continued inequality in the country is not something we can be proud of. To what extent has the coalition government assisted in changing this situation for the better? One glaring irony is that many of the ten political parties that are in a coalition were vocal about our bloated cabinet during their campaigns. Even the ANC was in favour of a reduced cabinet. Intriguingly, after the 2024 election, all of that changed. The seventh administration witnessed a bigger cabinet compared to that of the sixth administration. The mundane argument is that this was necessitated by the coalition government. But were politicians more concerned about cabinet positions than being MPs to serve the people?
Yahoo
06-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
JETRO and CIC to Showcase Promising Japanese Biotech Startups at "Japan Innovation Night" during BIO International Convention 2025 in Boston
BOSTON, June 06, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) and CIC Japan Desk will once again host "Japan Innovation Night: Best in Biotech" - a groundbreaking event showcasing the latest advancements in biotechnology from Japanese startups. This exclusive gathering will take place on Wednesday, June 18th, 2025, from 5:30pm to 8pm in Venture Café at CIC Cambridge. This event provides a unique opportunity for U.S. venture capital firms and pharmaceutical companies, particularly those based in the Greater Boston Area, to explore potential partnerships and synergies with innovative Japanese biotech firms. That same week, JETRO will also be organizing the Japan Pavilion at BIO International Convention 2025 in Boston; therefore, JETRO is pleased to bring several of the exhibiting startups to present their products in a more intimate setting at Japan Innovation Night. The event will feature ten carefully selected startups that will each be given three-minute pitches to present their latest innovations and partnering strategies and goals. A networking session will also be arranged for after the pitch session. In 2024, the Japanese government updated its Bioeconomy Strategy, expressing its intent to step up its support for bioeconomy fields in Japan. This is on top of an already one trillion-yen budget measure enacted by the Japanese government in fiscal year 2022. The Bioeconomy Strategy underscores the Japanese government's commitment to expanding Japan's bioeconomy in the hopes of providing solutions to a myriad of societal and economic issues, from the environment to food to health and economic development. In the Strategy, the Japanese government commits to enhancing the local startup ecosystem, ensuring its support aligns with the domestic biomanufacturing sector's structure and the challenges its players face. By coordinating initiatives across government efforts, the Bioeconomy Strategy aims to establish environments that foster startup creation, growth, and R&D. JETRO will introduce innovative startups from this market at Japan Innovation Night. Full List of Japanese Startups: Pre-Registration Here: About JETRO The Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) is a Japanese government-affiliated agency that supports Japanese businesses expanding globally and international businesses entering Japan. JETRO helps to facilitate collaboration and business alliances between Japanese and overseas companies via its business platform "J-Bridge." About CIC CIC builds and operates a global network of innovation campuses where startups, scale-ups, corporations and public entities connect, work, and grow. Founded in 1999, CIC manages 1.5 million square feet of innovation-focused workspace, laboratories, and event space across North America, Europe and Asia. Additionally, CIC develops bespoke programming, builds and enables industry clusters, and provides world-class district consulting—all focused on advancing innovation. View source version on Contacts Ryota HiramotoJETRO New YorkRyota_Hiramoto@ 1-212-997-0400 Sign in to access your portfolio
