A Japan pavilion opened Friday at an ongoing international trade fair in Baghdad, becoming the biggest in terms of the number of companies featured.
The pavilion is showcasing 22 firms, including Canon Inc. and Panasonic Corp., the largest number among the more than 15 countries participating in the event through Oct. 20.
Japan set up a pavilion last year for the first time since the end of the Iraqi war in 2003. This year, Japan secured six times the space, exhibiting products in such areas as automobiles, electronics, medical equipment, heavy machinery and hygiene products.
At a ceremony, Hiroyuki Ishige, chairman of the Japan External Trade Organization, said he believes Iraqis have high expectations for Japanese products and business activities. He said the pavilion will serve as a meeting place for companies of the two countries.
Last year, the event saw over 4 million visitors during a 10-day period, according to organizers.
Iraq has been drawing attention as a consumer market in addition to being a magnet for oil and gas investments. JETRO opened an office at a Baghdad hotel last month to enhance its ability to gather information as a step toward opening a full-fledged Iraqi office in the future.
Myanmar firms to visit
kyodo
A group of executives and other officials from 22 Myanmar companies will visit Tokyo and Osaka from Oct. 30 for events to find small and medium-size Japanese business partners, the organizer said.
The Organization for Small and Medium Enterprises and Regional Innovation, an independent administrative body, has invited top Myanmar officials from the country's energy, information technology, infrastructure and other sectors.
Thein Han, vice president of the Union of Myanmar Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry, will also visit and make a speech on the investment environment in his country.