Successful completion of the first 2009 EU Gateway Business Mission to Japan renews strength of EU- Japan business cooperation
11 March 2009by eugateway -- last modified 11 March 2009
9 March 2009 Press Release
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Successful completion of the first 2009 EU Gateway Business Mission to Japan renews strength of EU- Japan business cooperation
The EU Gateway Programme successfully completed its first business mission to Japan from 2-6 February. The week long mission for the Construction and Building Technologies sector attracted 298 visitors for the 21 companies of 12 European countries, a promising sign of the potential for more trade and business between Europe and Japan, even during challenging economic times. This mission confirms the EU Commission’s commitment to stimulating trade and business opportunities for its private sector. The EU Gateway is funding over 45 business missions and 1.750 companies in the next 5 years and expanding the programme to the Republic of Korea.
The mission included companies specialized in different sub-sectors of construction and building technology from building automation systems to wood structures, lighting equipment, and decorative stones. In-depth market studies and briefings by European industry leaders in Japan provided privileged information on current conditions for the construction industry and strategies for market penetration. The companies then presented their products and know-how to interested Japanese business partners during a two day event.
Upon initial assessment of the mission Mr. Eric Hamelinck, EU Commission Programme Manager of the EU Gateway Programme said, “the new approach of tailored coaching for each company that addresses frequent difficulties in the market such as product approval procedures, has proven to be successful”.
A participating company from Slovenia explained that the “unique advantage of this business mission is that it is easier logistically for an SME to access Japan and enter the market as the Programme organizes the functions, meetings, and the publicity for the product display events, which would be very difficult for a company to do on its own”.
A participating company from Finland remarked that “the business mission includes only selected hand-picked companies which means that the 298 visitors attend the trade event only for these companies.”
About the EU Gateway to Japan and Korea: The EU Gateway Programme is funded and managed by the European Commission. The programme organises tailored sector specific business missions aimed at penetrating the Japanese and Korean market. More information on the website: www.eu-gateway.eu. How to apply? Fill out an expression of interest form on eu-gateway.eu. Applications are now open for the healthcare and medical technology missions to Japan in September 2009 and to Korea in November 2009.
Contact: The Central Management Unit (cmayali@eu-gateway.eu)
EU Gateway Programme
