Business Destination Conference: Focus on Japan!

On Monday, 20th January at MonacoTech, the Monaco Economic Board brought together various entities it will rely upon during its upcoming economic mission to Japan, scheduled for 26th June to 3rd July, as part of a Business Destination conference. This visit promises to be exceptionally enriching.

70 business leaders from MEB member companies attended to discover Japan's attractions and various aspects of this economic mission to a country where commercial engagement can be challenging without proper guidance.

Following opening remarks by Pierre-André Chiappori, Government Advisor - Minister of Finance and Economy, who strongly supports the development of economic exchanges between Monaco and the Land of the Rising Sun, H.E. Didier Gamerdinger, Monaco's Ambassador to Japan and India, who has been heavily involved in preparing this journey, addressed the audience: "I often meet people who tell me they would like to visit Japan one day. I tell them that day is now, it's this year!"

The MEB mission will coincide with the presence of Monaco's Pavilion at the Osaka World Expo and will take full advantage of the National Day dedicated to the Principality on 28th June to benefit from Monaco's soft power.

H.E. Mireille Martini, Delegated President of Monaco Pavilion, described various aspects of the building and its surroundings, which expects to welcome at least 1.5 million visitors and will serve as a remarkable promotional tool for Monégasque entities, particularly businesses.

This description was complemented by Akiyoshi Kawabata, Commercial Affairs Advisor at the Japanese Embassy in France and Monaco, who provided a broader overview of the promising international exhibition, which will facilitate meetings with representatives from numerous other countries.

However, it is primarily Japan's economic might that should attract MEB members to the journey. As the world's fourth-largest economy, stable and successfully blending tradition with innovation, Japan is the ideal place for investing in Asia, provided one takes a long-term perspective.

"To do business in Japan, you must first build personal relationships. Once trust is established, business follows naturally" explains Nicolas Bonnardel, Managing Director of the French Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Japan, the country's largest foreign chamber of commerce. 

Another highlighted aspect that resonates with Monaco is the importance of quality: "Price is often secondary when discussing with Japanese counterparts; the primary focus will be on the quality of your proposal, product, or services".

Regarding the macroeconomic context, the stars seem aligned here as well: after decades of stagflation, Japan's growth has been on the rise for two years, and the Yen is at its lowest - factors favourable to investment.

In conclusion, Guillaume Rose, Executive Director General of MEB, presented the provisional programme for the economic mission, which will take the delegation not only to Osaka but also to Kyoto and Tokyo. Justin Highman, his Deputy Director, has returned from a reconnaissance mission that revealed numerous promising opportunities and helped develop this programme designed to transform potential into actual events. This visit promises to be rich in discoveries, emotions, and, of course, fruitful economic exchanges.

Photo credits: MEB / P.H. Sébastien Darrasse