The inaugural C5+Japan business forum, which took place on Aug. 9 in the Kazakh capital, brought together over 450 representatives of five Central Asian states and more than 100 major Japanese companies, including Toyota Tsusho Corporation, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries EMEA, Ltd., and Mitsui & Co., Ltd.
Prime Minister of Kazakhstan Olzhas Bektenov, Chairman of Marubeni Corporation Fumiya Kokubu, President of the Japan Association for Trade with Russia and newly independent states (ROTOBO) Masami Iijima and heads of large companies took part in the event.
The forum attendees discussed the prospects for strengthening economic ties and expanding cooperation in digitalization, transport and logistics, the agro-industrial complex, and the heavy industry sector.
In his welcoming speech, Bektenov outlined the critical areas for increasing multilateral cooperation. According to him, Central Asian nations and Japan have colossal potential for progressive collaboration.
“Japan is rightfully considered one of the world’s economic and technological leaders. Japanese products are known for their high quality, reliability and innovation. The country is always at the forefront of progress, contributing significantly to enhancing people’s quality of life all around the world. Central Asia, for its part, is a rapidly developing region with huge growth potential and all the conditions for comprehensive cooperation. I believe that the countries of our region and Japan have enormous potential for the gradual expansion of cooperation,” he said.
Bektenov focused on the interaction between Central Asia and Japan in advanced technology transfer and high-value product manufacture, outlining the possibility of creating joint innovation clusters, technology parks and incubators.