Japan aims to increase food exports to GCC

Coinciding with Saudi Arabia’s 6th International Food, Beverage and Hospitality Exhibition, Saudi HORECA, JETRO in collaboration with the Riyadh Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Japanese Embassy of Saudi Arabia held a conference and food tasting session to introduce Japanese food products to chefs, wholesalers and other industry professionals. The event was inaugurated by Mr. Shunsuke Saito, head of Economic Section at the Japanese Embassy in Riyadh in the presence of other government officials and representatives.
“Japan is focused on increasing the food exports into the GCC region and today’s event is in support of their mission. We encourage Saudi businesses to consider Japan as a supplier of resources and in turn, assist Japanese businesses to invest in the region” said Mr. Saito. 
Highlighting the agricultural, fishery and other food products available for export to the Kingdom, Mr. Masami Ando, Managing Director, JETRO Dubai and MENA, emphasized on the high-quality and strict safety regulations all Japanese food must adhere to. “This event provides a platform for individuals in the food and hospitality industry to discover Japanese food products and the variety of fresh and first-class ingredients that are not readily available in the region. Traditional Japanese food products are required to ensure the authentic flavor of Japanese cuisine. Hosting such a forum allows our guests to learn more about Japanese cuisine and sample some of the halal produce. It provides a platform to better explore trade and investment prospects with these industry professionals.”
Japanese companies established in the UAE and Qatar participated in the event by showcasing their wide range of Japanese food items such as sushi vinegar, soy sauce, wasabi, Miso, wakame seaweed, noodles and rice.
Attendees of the event had the opportunity to sample a variety of halal Japanese food products including fresh seafood. The tasting session featured live Japanese cooking and showcased the art behind sushi and authentic Japanese cuisine. 
The traditional Japanese diet is known for its healthy balance of protein and vegetables. With one of the lowest rates of obesity in the world, Japanese cuisine is comprised of the freshest ingredients and that these ingredients are authentically sourced. The World Health Organization in 2015 ranked the Japanese as having the longest life expectancy in the world.

Source: Arab News