【Press Release】Top Sharjah Government(United Arab Emirates, UAE) FDI Official Visits Japan - Strategic Dialogue with Onebloom's CEO, Hiroyuki Itoh, at Japan-Sharjah Investment Forum held in Tokyo

Exploring Sharjah as the "Next Strategic Middle East Base" for Japanese Companies: Bilateral Synergies and Sustainable Growth Potential Discussed

*Official Press Release (PR Times): 
prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000002.000034096.html

On June 18, 2025 (Wednesday), Onebloom Corporation (Japan) President and CEO, Hiroyuki Itoh took the stage alongside H.E. Mohamed Juma Al Musharrkh, Chief Executive Officer of the Sharjah FDI Office (Invest in Sharjah), at the "Japan - Sharjah Investment Forum ~ Discover Sharjah Business Seminar ~" held at the Grand Hyatt Tokyo.
The event was organized by Invest in Sharjah with support from JETRO (Japan External Trade Organization).

​◼️Strategic Dialogue Between Top Sharjah FDI Official and Japanese Top Business and Management Advisor on Emerging Markets

This forum was organized to promote awareness of Sharjah, one of the seven emirates of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and attract investment interest from Japanese companies.
​The keynote session featured a strategic dialogue between H.E. Mohamed Juma Al Musharrkh, CEO of Invest in Sharjah, and Hiroyuki Itoh, President of Onebloom Corporation, a Japan-based professional advisory firm providing hands-on(co-running), high-value advisory services for global businesses in emerging markets across Asia, the Middle East, and Africa.

​◼️Sharjah: UAE's Rising Economic Hub

​As the third-largest emirate after Dubai and Abu Dhabi, Sharjah is a knowledge-driven city with a diversified industrial base, world-class universities, and infrastructure. It is known for its strengths in manufacturing, logistics, healthcare, and ICT.
​
In 2023, Sharjah recorded 6.5% GDP growth, with only 2.7% to 6% of its economy dependent on oil and gas. Approximately 96% to 97% of Sharjah's economy is comprised of non-oil sectors, underscoring its role as a unique, sustainable, and diversified economic hub in the Middle East.

During the session, H.E. Al Musharrkh emphasized, “Now is the ideal time for Japanese companies to invest in Sharjah,” citing its geographic and structural advantages as a springboard to the broader GCC market.

◼️Sharjah as a Launchpad for Japanese Companies in the GCC: Practical Insights Shared

​Key topics discussed included:

• Why now? The strategic timing for Japanese companies to invest in Sharjah
• Real-world examples of successful Japanese businesses operating in Sharjah
• New value co-creation models through collaboration with local companies
• Potential frameworks for inter-city or regional cooperation between Japan and Sharjah
• Long-term and sustainable strategies for Japanese businesses in the Middle East

Sharjah's cost competitiveness, approachable scale, and accessible partner ecosystem make it particularly suitable for Japanese SMEs looking to scale into the GCC. Its free zones and diversified industries offer ample entry points.
Examples highlighted include:
Tokai Optical (launched a manufacturing base in Sharjah SAIF Zone in February 2025, expanding exports across the GCC and Africa)
Sumitomo Corporation / Shikoku Electric Power (power infrastructure development in Hamriyah)
​
Sharjah offers a scalable and sustainable platform for long-term expansion into GCC and Africa, particularly when approached through strategic business models and partnerships.

​◼️Quotes from Speakers

H.E. Mohamed Juma Al Musharrkh
CEO, Sharjah FDI Office (Invest in Sharjah)
“Japanese companies are renowned for quality and precision, which aligns perfectly with Sharjah’s commitment to sustainable industries.
​We envision more Japanese companies thriving across the GCC via Sharjah.”

Hiroyuki Itoh
President and CEO, Onebloom Corporation
“Sharjah is not just a new investment hub or one of many emirates. For Japanese businesses aiming for regional expansion, it offers realistic, practical, and strategic pathways to sustainable growth.
​We at Onebloom are committed to helping Japanese enterprises unlock new value through local partnerships and strategic collaboration.”

◼️Event Overview

• Event: Japan - Sharjah Investment Forum ~ Discover Sharjah Business Seminar ~
• Date: Wednesday, June 18, 2025
• Venue: Grand Hyatt Tokyo, Minato-ku, Tokyo
• Organizer: Sharjah FDI Office (Invest in Sharjah)
• Supporter: Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO)

◼️About Sharjah FDI Office (Invest in Sharjah): 
​Invest in Sharjah is the official investment promotion agency of the Emirate of Sharjah, UAE. Operating under the Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq), it promotes strategic investment and international partnerships aimed at economic diversification.
It provides global investors and companies with business matching, regulatory assistance, site selection, and partnership support across industries including manufacturing, education, R&D, innovation, and sustainability.
Invest in Sharjah has been actively strengthening its engagement with Japanese businesses in cooperation with JETRO.
​
Website: https://investinsharjah.ae/

◼️About Onebloom Corporation:
Onebloom Corporation is a professional advisory firm specializing in sustainable business creation and strategic management in emerging markets across Asia, the Middle East, and Africa.
With over 15 years of hands-on experiences(business, trading and marketing & sales, supply chain, investment, organization, corporate management related etc) across 400+ companies—from major global players to SMEs and startups and with the emerging markets—Onebloom provides high end-value, partner-style advisory support that guides business leaders and decision-makers through every stage of international development and management.
Its core services include new business creation, strategy planning, and executive advisory focused on high-value segments of corporate comprehensive values up approach(business, organization, and corporate management) in and with complex emerging markets.
​
Corporate website: https://www.onebloomcorp.com
LinkedIn(corporate): https://www.linkedin.com/company/onebloom-corporation/​
​Representative(Hiroyuki Itoh) SNS, LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/itohhiroyuki/
​Newsletter("Essence of Global Businesses"): https://essenceglobalbusinesses.substack.com/

◼️For Media and Inquiries
Please contact Onebloom Corporation via the contact form:
https://www.onebloomcorp.com/contact.html
For interviews, media requests, or inquiries about expanding to Sharjah, the broader Middle East, or other emerging markets like Asia(South East Asia, India etc) and Africa, feel free to reach out.

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