82 December 2016 www.bahrainthismonth.com japansupplement LIZ O’REILLY Nasser Al Arayedh speaks about increasing awareness and crosscultural cooperation. A Businesslike Approach Deputy President Nasser Al Arayedh set up the Bahrain Japan Friendship Society in 2008 and later on, with the guidance of president Mubarak Kanoo, the Society grew. The two countries have a historically strong relationship and in 2011 it evolved to become the Bahrain-Japan Business & Friendship Society (BJBFS), putting the spotlight much more on commercial activities. “We wanted to move towards a more businessbased focus to increase the number of business events for members to have a better understanding of the cooperation potential between Japan and Bahrain,” says Nasser. The Japanese community in Bahrain is strong and in total is around 250 individual members, which includes a number of Japanese companies in sectors such as finance, trading and manufacturing.There have been various events, in coordination with the Japanese Embassy, which are aimed at increasing awareness for possible cooperation, mainly to help the Japanese see the business potential of Bahrain. The current trade figures for 2015 show a volume of USD1.2 billion – Japan imports USD321 million from Bahrain, which is mainly petroleum products and aluminium. Bahrain imports USD879 million from Japan, this is made up of transportation and general machinery and electrical equipment. “One of our primary focuses needs to be on increasing the number of trade delegations which visit Bahrain,” says Nasser. “There have been several high-profile political and VIP visits, but we need to expand these to take in the business community too. Part of our job, as a society, is to ‘matchmake’ if you like, to put potential Japanese investors in touch with Bahraini partners. “We also need to be looking at making Japanese companies aware of the success of those which are already here – so that it will encourage them to come.” However, it is a job Nasser feels the society cannot undertake alone. He says: “I would also like to see increased coordination with the Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Tourism and the Economic Development Board, to encourage Japanese business delegations to visit. “There is currently no Free Trade Agreement between Bahrain and Japan but it’s my understanding this is being pursued between our two governments. This will be very beneficial in growing trade between the two nations, but in the meantime, greater involvement on the ground is what’s needed and the society is trying to encourage this.” The BJBFS has a regular newsletter which is not just for Bahrain but is also distributed in Japan, through the embassy and the head offices of companies that are active here. This is seen as a good way to service the relationship and, once again, increase awareness. And, in terms of social and cultural events, there is work in hand to bring a programme of events to the island in the near future, with Nasser explaining: “We had hoped to have a full calendar planned but this has not happened so far. However, plans are in place and we hope this will move forward in the near future so that we can increase awareness across this level too.” Nasser Al Arayedh Group members with the president
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