“There has been an information-explosion in the Gulf Cooperation Council region due to the rapid increase in the number of internet users; over 70 percent of the population is connected to the internet. The large-scale implementation of solutions for the ‘internet of things,’ ‘cloud,’ surveillance applications and data storage is increasing. Toshiba Gulf supports the complete range of storage solutions from micro SD cards for smartphones to 14 terabyte hard disk drives for enterprise storage. We are also seeing strong sales growth in our multifunction and barcode printers. Toshiba multifunction printers are supported by a full suite of software solutions that allow customers to manage data and print effectively while reducing carbon footprints.”

Toshiba Gulf also oversees operations in North Africa. As purchasing power continues to increase, sales of Toshiba’s consumer electronics, including audio devices and personal data-storage equipment have increased. “

Africa is one of our largest growth markets and we are developing our business across the region,” said Nagata. “African countries are becoming more connected with the rest of the world and our customers appreciate Toshiba as a quality-driven and reliable brand.”

In November 2018 Toshiba Corp., Japan announced the Toshiba Next Plan. The plan refers to the direction and measures that will transform Toshiba’s business to facilitate future growth.

“The Toshiba Next Plan is the fundamental strategy leading to the company’s long-term goal of becoming one of the world’s best cyber-physical systems technology companies,” said Nagata.

“We are combining the knowledge and capabilities Toshiba has accumulated over years of experience in a wide range of businesses, including infrastructure, electronic devices, information processing, digital solutions and artificial intelligence technologies. Toshiba Gulf will play an important role in connecting Toshiba offices and technologies to better serve our existing clients and our future customers.”

www.toshibamea.com

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Nine research centers of strategic importance to the country and the region are advancing knowledge in critical areas. The nine centers are: National Water Center; Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Center for Health Sciences; Roadway, Transportation and Traffic Safety Research Center; Emirates University Center for Public Policy and Leadership; Khalifa Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology; Emirates Center for Energy and Environmental Research; National Space Science and Technology Center; Emirates Institute for Learning Outcomes Assessment; and Emirates Center for Happiness Research.

In addition, the Science and Innovation Park, through its business incubators, serves as a hub for innovation, entrepreneurship and leadership to foster the transitioning of the UAE economy toward a knowledge economy.

The university has established student exchange programs and collaborations with Akita University, The University of Tokyo, Hokkaido University, Fujita Health University and Waseda University.

The Sakura Club, established in 2009, was the first cultural club formed in UAEU by a group of female students with an interest in Japanese culture. The main aim of the club is to encourage cultural exchanges between the UAE and Japan. The club also regularly organizes cultural activities such as the UAE-Japan Week, holds conferences with Japanese universities, participates in an exchange program with Fujimigaoka High School and arranges trips to Japan to enhance cultural knowledge and immersion.

The university aspires to be the “university of the future” with goals to become a top-20 academic institution in Asia and a top-200 academic institution globally.

With education increasingly growing as a vital pillar for the Middle East, UAEU aims to become the national hub in research and entrepreneurship, as well as the primary destination for collaboration with governmental and nongovernmental agencies, organizations, industry and international agencies.

By 2020, university students will participate in new types of learning experiences, access new kinds of learning resources and deal with a broader range of knowledge providers than ever before. As such, new technologies are expected to flourish in the future, including 3D printing, the “internet of things,” artificial intelligence, robotics, virtual reality and gamification — areas in which the UAE will be at the forefront of.

“While we will strive to produce indigenous leaders of the highest caliber in different areas, we also aim to attract international scholars to create a vibrant and interactive learning environment that advances the region technologically; strengthens its heritage, culture and tradition; and benefits humanity. We have attained top rankings over the years and we intend to keep it that way, while improving as we go along. Our aim is to be known as a world-class university, providing only the best education to students,” said Professor Mohamed Albaili, vice chancellor of UAEU.

“Not knowing precisely every detail of the change coming, the only insurance we have is simply the nimbleness and agility to move, shift and find our course. The future does not wait — it is constantly at our doorstep and we must ensure to take action today to be prepared accordingly for tomorrow. We are on the right track, but many changes will have to take place for us to continue following that path and ensure continued success in the near future. The future is what the UAE, as a country, looks to and what we, at the UAEU, have ambitious plans for.”

www.uaeu.ac.ae

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As the first Japanese logistics company to establish a presence in the country, HTS provided logistics solutions to Japanese companies importing and transporting machinery, materials and large-scale industrial units. The company partnered with Hitachi to import train carriages for Dubai’s monorail project.

“We are proud of the contributions we have made and continue to make to the development of this great country,” said Atsushi Kanda, HTS chief representative.

Today, HTS has a diverse client base and serves local, international and Japanese clients in the UAE and across the region.

A long-term partnership with Al Mohairaby International Freight LLC, one of the largest logistics companies in the UAE, and the opening of the new FLYJAC Logistics Pvt. Ltd. (HTS’ Indian subsidiary) branch in Dubai have strengthened HTS’ reputation as a full-service logistics provider.

“Our partnerships enable us to create synergies in every aspect of our business and to maximize and expand our capabilities,” said Kanda.

Kanda intends to build on HTS’ reputation in the UAE and believes HTS is well-placed to work closely with customers in Middle Eastern and African markets.

“Having successfully established a strong foundation in the UAE, we aim to move forward and deliver our services to customers in exciting, new markets,” concluded Kanda.

www.hitachi-transportsystem.com/en

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Prior to the global expansion, overseas markets accounted for a small fraction of Torishima’s business. Today, the majority of the company’s business is done outside Japan and Middle Eastern markets are becoming increasingly important.

“Our goal is to bring Torishima to the Middle East and we have successfully combined our highly skilled workforce with the Japanese values we hold dear,” said Flett.

In the United Arab Emirates, Torishima Service Solutions FZCO provides services and solutions for water treatment facilities, power plants and oil and gas field projects.

“As a Japanese company, we place great importance on our long-term client relations,” said Flett. “Our clients demand high-quality products and we collaborate closely with our partners to provide quality after- sales services and support.”

To meet increasing demand, the company is expanding its factory in the United Arab Emirates by 50 percent and establishing new offices across the region.

“Our regional headquarters will remain here in the United Arab Emirates as we expand across the Middle East,” said Flett. “We operate in a knowledge- based industry and rely on highly skilled people to develop our business. The United Arab Emirates provides a very comfortable, free and safe working environment that will enable us to continue to attract and retain the best talent from around the world.”

www.torishima.co.jp/en
www.torishima.co.jp/en/100

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“Businesses thrive here,” said Nonaka. “The UAE provides a very welcoming business-friendly environment, and strong diplomatic relations across the region and freedom of trade have lead to continued economic growth.”

There are many parallels between Japan and the UAE — both cultures value long-term commitments, relationship-based business and partnerships based on trust.

Nonaka appreciates the Emirati people and culture. His affinity toward the UAE is mirrored by both the values that ITOCHU holds dear and his harmonious approach to doing business.

“Emiratis and Japanese share similar values such as trust, honesty and integrity,” said Nonaka.

“As a company, we were warmly received, and people here are kind and trustworthy. This is very attractive for international investors, as they foster economic relations.”

ITOCHU is continuing to build lasting partnerships in the UAE and across the region by working closely with partners in the public and private sectors.

While ITOCHU focuses on the oil and gas industry, the company is simultaneously improving the customer-related value chain and developing new areas of business.

Moving forward, the company’s medium-term management plan “Brand-new Deal 2020” will create an even more dynamic ITOCHU.

The plan’s focus on new technologies, businesses, lifestyles and values represents the future of ITOCHU in the country.

“Through our projects and collaborations with local partners, we are proud to play a role in Sheikh Zayed’s vision for the future of the UAE and the region,” said Nonaka.

“In the United Arab Emirates, ‘Together We Shine’ will continue to represent the importance we place on our strong partnerships.”

www.itochu.co.jp

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In 1998 Fujitsu General (Middle East) established its regional headquarters in Dubai to better serve clients, partners and distributors in the UAE, Middle East and Africa.

“The harsh weather conditions in the UAE make it one of the most challenging markets for air conditioning manufacturers. When we first entered the market, our units were more powerful and reliable than our competitors and we became one of the few brands with products that were successfully able to combat the extreme heat and humidity,” said Junji Yanagimoto, chairman of Fujitsu General (Middle East).

“Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan’s vision for the UAE, which has been successfully implemented by his successors, has allowed foreign companies to benefit from the country’s safe society and business- friendly environment. Therefore, the decision to establish the company’s regional headquarters in the UAE 20 years ago was an easy one,” said Yanagimoto.

With the UAE as a central hub for their regional expansion, Yanagimoto intends to grow the company’s market share in other countries across the region.

“We see a great deal of potential in neighboring developing countries and we believe we can be successful in these markets,” said Yanagimoto.

“The most important challenge is to build brand awareness of Fujitsu General, as these markets are less mature than that of the UAE. Customers across the region will benefit greatly from Fujitsu General’s innovative, reliable and energy- efficient units.”

www.fujitsu-general.com/g-mea

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