As of my knowledge cutoff in October 2023, the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) had not opened a representative office in Ukraine. However, based on the information provided, it appears that this significant development has taken place recently.
Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal, along with Norihiko Ishiguro, head of JETRO, and representatives from Japanese and Ukrainian companies, officially opened the JETRO representative office in Kyiv. The inauguration marks a pivotal step in enhancing economic relations between the two countries.
New Opportunities for Japanese Business
Prime Minister Shmyhal highlighted that the opening of the JETRO office creates new opportunities for Japanese businesses in Ukraine. The government sees particular promise in cooperation within the sectors of:
- Energy
- Infrastructure Reconstruction
- Agriculture
- Mechanical Engineering
- Information Technology
"It is the private sector that will be the driver of the reconstruction of our country and the further growth of the economy. The restoration of Ukraine is about large-scale modernization. Japan has such experience," said Shmyhal.
Focus on Economic Growth and Modernization
Ukraine aims to leverage Japan's expertise in large-scale modernization to:
- Invest in human capital and innovation
- Emphasize an export-oriented economy
- Prioritize production with a high added value
Shmyhal expressed that Ukraine expects to implement these goals with the assistance of Japanese partners.
Strengthening Business Relations
The opening of the JETRO office follows the signing of a memorandum of cooperation between Ukraine and JETRO. This agreement is designed to facilitate:
- Strengthened business relations between Japanese and Ukrainian companies
- Identification of promising projects for Japanese investment
- Implementation of new technologies and approaches to boost economic development
"Japanese investors will be able to strengthen their business relations with Ukrainian companies and choose the most promising projects for their investments. To implement new approaches and technologies that will contribute to the development of our economy. We expect that this cooperation will bring many fruitful results," commented Shmyhal.
