Takayuki Suzuki is the director at Iran’s Japan External Trade Organization where he has assumed the role of the new head of JETRO office in Tehran since September 2020.
The outbreak of pandemic coupled with the continuing sanctions, have challenged the already declining bilateral trade exchange between the two countries over the past decade and still Japanese firms are taking a wait-and-see approach and so I began by asking more about the organization, its concept and structure: “JETRO is a government-related organization that works to promote mutual trade and investment between Japan and the rest of the world. Originally established in 1958 to promote Japanese exports abroad, JETRO’s core focus in the 21st century has shifted toward promoting foreign direct investment into Japan and helping small to medium size Japanese firms maximize their global export potential. To carry out these missions, JETRO has 48 offices throughout Japan and 76 offices in 55 countries overseas, in addition to JETRO Headquarters Tokyo, JETRO Osaka, Institute of Developing Economies, and JFOODO. JETRO Tehran was opened in January 1958 and is the second oldest office in the Middle East after Cairo.”
What is the main idea and primary goals of Japan external trade organization in The Middle East Region, especially Iran?
As you know, the Middle East is a valuable source of resources for Japan. JETRO is working to make relationships between Japan and the Middle East more multi-layered through its business with Japan. For example, we are striving to strengthen mutual economic relationships between Japan and the Middle East through business matching in the various areas such as machine, foods, innovation, start-ups, and digital, e-commerce etc. Unfortunately, there was no participation from Iran, but in February we held a Middle East medical device online business matching event. I would like Iranian companies to take advantage of these opportunities. At the same time, JETRO Tehran provides information on Iran’s economic situation and Iranian companies to Japan in cooperation with TPO and the Iran Chamber of Commerce to promote mutual business.
How do you describe the dynamic between Iran and Japan and what is unique about the two nations’ relationship?
Japan and Iran enjoy a long history of friendship, such as the 90th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations in 2019. The economic ties between the two countries has been strong, Japan had imported oil from Iran for many years and had exported Japanese products such as automobiles, developing infrastructure in Iran, and providing production technical cooperation at factories, etc. I believe that we have built a valuable relationship for both countries.
How Significant is JETRO’s relationship with private organizations and global industries such as the shipping and logistics industry?
As a trade promotion organization of the Japanese government, JETRO is building relationships with people in Shipping and Logistics Industry through creating opportunities for trade such as exhibitions and business meetings. Recently, new style businesses such as e-commerce are being actively promoted in various regions. JETRO is also working on these fields. In November 2020, JETRO held a webinar introducing Iran’s e-commerce jointly with the Iranian Embassy in Japan, and with more than 300 Japanese business man attended, it was great success. We would like to strengthen our relationships with private sector in these fields as well.
How familiar is JETRO with logistics and inland transportation in particular?
As a trade promotion organization, we are interested in smooth and reliable transportation/logistics. I think that smooth and reliable transportation is important in international business. As for the future, I am very much interested in accessing Central Asia through Iranian corridors as a hub.
In what ways is JETRO planning to expand communication and interaction between Iranian industries in general and Japanese business owners in the field of trade and trade logistics?
JETRO will continue to work with its counterparts, TPO and the Iran Chamber of Commerce, to promote trade between Japan and Iran. In particular, we would like to find an Iranian company that wants to handle Japanese products, and would like to match them with Japanese companies. At the same time, we will continue to provide the information on Iran’s economic potential to Japan so that Japanese companies will be interested in dealing with Iranian companies. At the moment due to the sanctions, the actions we can take are very limited, but we will continue to work on the development of business between the two countries with our Iranian counterparts.
And with that note we hope this optimism prevails soon, paving the way for Japanese companies vying for economic opportunities in Iran once again.
