International Japanese Business Conference in Tartu strengthens business relations
Tartu City Government Press Release
/ On 4 September, the International Japanese Business Conference will be held in Tartu, Estonia, with the aim of strengthening business relations between Japan and Estonia. In addition to the conference, participants will take a closer look at the Tartu Science Park, CDL Estonia, and the University of Tartu Delta Centre. A networking event will also be held in cooperation with Hydrogen Valley Estonia, to accelerate cooperation between Japanese and Estonian companies.
‘The City of Tartu has enjoyed a number of positive experiences when it comes to introducing smart city companies, start-up entrepreneurship in the city, and the opportunities for research cooperation in Japan,’ said Roomer Tarajev, Development Manager for Smart Cities and Investments in the Tartu City Government. ‘As there is considerable interest on the part of Estonian start-ups towards the Japanese market and growing interest by large Japanese companies towards investing in Estonia, today’s event presents a great opportunity to bring large Japanese companies to Tartu, network, and get a feel for the nature of start-up entrepreneurship in our country’.
The business conference, taking place in the Tartu Lydia Hotel’s Event Centre, will feature speeches by Ilaria Perla, Acting Managing Director of the Asia Region at the Estonian Business and Innovation Agency; Yasuyuki Ishiga, Director General of the Japan External Trade Organization, in Warsaw; and Nina Lubba, Investment Advisor, on building and strengthening cooperation with Japanese companies. Ermo Tikk, Director of CDL Estonia, will speak about Tartu as the city with the most sTARTUp-like thinking in the world. At the conference, both Japanese and Estonian companies will give an overview of their activities.
The business conference is aimed at companies in the Estonian ICT sector that are active in the fields of digital technologies, artificial intelligence, and smart cities.
At the evening networking event, Hydrogen Valley Estonia will lead the introduction to the Japanese delegation visiting Tartu, on how and why Hydrogen Valley Estonia was established, and how to work together to realise ambitious goals. ‘Hydrogen Valley Estonia, the world’s first nationwide hydrogen valley, was founded in Tartu, and the long-standing expertise of the University of Tartu has contributed to the development of research innovation and entrepreneurship in Estonia,’ explained Marek Alliksoo, member of the management board of the Estonian Hydrogen Association.
‘14 Japanese companies make their first-ever visit to Tartu, marking a significant event. Focusing on innovation, they aim to boost their value through partnerships with Estonia's agile startups. Supported by JETRO, Enterprise Estonia, and the City of Tartu, this event highlights strong international collaboration. As these companies join Tartu's vibrant startup ecosystem, a new era of cross-border partnership emerges,’ said Tsubasa Yoshito, Project Manager of Asia Information Centre, Enterprise Estonia.
Last changed 04.09.2023
