Close economic ties between Belgium and Japan date back to 1866, with the signing from the first bilateral Treaty of Friendship, Trade and Routing. Since then, Japan has regularly emerged as a major investor in our country with 237 Japanese companies operating in Belgium today. Conversely, around 80 Belgian companies are founded in the Japanese market, having a clear focus on R& M and innovative technology. Belgium and Japan are important trade partners. Within the EU, Belgium is the third largest importer from Japan (EUR 9. 3 billion in 2021) and second in terms of exports (EUR 7. 6 billion dollars in 2021), with a recent increase in Covid-19 vaccine exports. Both countries are strongly oriented towards the future, dealing with shared challenges such as climate change, digital transition and public health.
Official delegation plus participants
The mission puts an important concentrate on Belgium’s leading sectors which will shape the future, such as lifetime sciences, semiconductors & ICT, automotive, fintech, ecological construction, market access, clean technology & renewable energy. Like Belgium within the EU, Japan offers resolutely opted for the cal king green and digital changeover with carbon neutrality being a goal by 2050. This gives an excellent basis for restored and strengthened cooperation having a clear focus on new plus clean technology. Besides several B2B and B2G appointments for participants, numerous events with a specific sectoral focus will be prepared by the regional agencies responsible for promoting trade relations plus investments. FPS Foreign Affairs will also organise an event upon “Business & Human Rights” in Japan at Doshisha University (Kyoto) which will focus on the expectations of the youth regarding gender equality in operation.
Organisation
The princely economic missions are with each other organised by the FPS Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade plus Development Cooperation, the International Trade Agency and the three regional agencies responsible for promoting trade relations and opportunities (Flanders Investment & Trade/FIT, Brussels Invest & Foreign trade /hub. brussels, Agence Wallonne à l’Exportation/Awex).
Historic economic ties and shared challenges for future years
In addition to the public delegation, the mission will certainly host representatives of 210 leading Belgian companies, along with universities and organisations active in Belgium’s key economic sectors, including renewable energy, lifetime sciences, sustainable eco-construction, strategies, automotive, game art plus food industry. Through a selection of events, meetings, B2B conferences and networking events, opportunities can be found for new local partners to renew and perpetuate the economic interaction in between Belgium and Japan.
Economic sectors where partnerships can be further increased
From 5 in order to 9 December, Her Regal Highness Princess Astrid associated with Belgium, representing His Majesty the King, will guide an economic mission to The japanese. First destination is the funds Tokyo, followed by subsequent routines in Nagoya, Osaka and Kyoto. With 575 participants, this is the largest Belgian industry mission to Japan and the second largest ever. The large number of participants and varied programme in several cities reveal the great interest of our businesses, universities, academic and research centres in opportunities to get renewed cooperation on Belgian trade relations with Japan. Follow the Belgian Economic Mission to The japanese on social media: #BEmissionJPN
Politics contacts
Princess Astrid will be accompanied by a ministerial delegation including Federal Minister for Foreign Matters, European Affairs, Foreign Industry and Federal Cultural Establishments, Hadja Lahbib, Minister-President from the Government of Flanders, Jan Jambon and Brussels Condition Secretary responsible for Urbanism plus Heritage, European and Worldwide Relations and Foreign Trade, Pascal Smet. Federal Secretary of State Mathieu Michel will also participate in activities of the economic mission in the field of digitisation. During the economic mission, Princess Astrid will also meet Best Minister Fumio Kishida plus Governor of Aichi Prefecture Hideaki Omura. Minister associated with Foreign Affairs Lahbib will host consultations with her equal, Minister of Foreign Affairs Yoshimasa Hayashi. The full programme and everything useful information on the Belgian economic mission to The japanese are available on the following internet site: https://www.belgianeconomicmission.be
