An EU-funded programme that supports EU businesses in the green, digital and healthcare sectors to enter the markets of Japan and the Republic of Korea.
The programme organises 10 business missions to Japan and 10 to the Republic of Korea over the next four years. Each business mission will allow a group of 50 cutting-edge companies to benefit from extensive and tailored business coaching and logistical support throughout their participation.
Japan, as the 4th largest global economy, presents an attractive prospect for EU companies and their products, services and investments. In fact, EU exports of goods and services to Japan in 2021 amounted to €62.3 billion and €31 billion respectively.
The EU and Japan’s bilateral trade and investment partnership, based on shared values, continues to strengthen through the implementation of the EU-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) which recently celebrated its 5th anniversary in February 2024, and the EU-Japan Strategic Partnership Agreement (SPA), signed in 2018.
In May 2021, the EU-Japan Green Alliance was signed, the first of its kind, which aims to accelerate the transition of their respective economies towards becoming climate-neutral, circular and resource-efficient. In May 2022, the EU-Japan Digital Partnership was signed which envisages increased cooperation to strengthen the resilience of global supply chains for semiconductors, to secure 5G/Beyond 5G/6G technologies, and for the safe and ethical application of artificial intelligence.
The Republic of Korea serves as a strong economic partner for the EU. Being the 10th largest economy worldwide and the 4th largest in Asia, its strategic location makes it an attractive prospect for EU enterprises. In fact, EU exports of goods and services to the Republic of Korea in 2021 amounted to €51.8 billion and €7.9 billion respectively.
The EU and the Republic of Korea have cultivated a solid partnership built on shared values and the bilateral economic relationship continues on the path of steady growth, with the EU-Republic of Korea FTA – which entered into force in 2011 – remaining a solid bedrock for trade and investments relations.
Recently, the EU and the Republic of Korea have launched the Digital and Green Partnership to enhance cooperation in the areas of shared interest of their respective dual green and digital transitions.
Upcoming missions
Tokyo, Japan
Seoul, The Republic of Korea
A comprehensive coaching programme with tailored market and sectoral insights and information on local business culture before during and after the business mission.
A personalised schedule of individual B2B meetings with local companies and networking sessions with key industry players.
Increased market visibility through promotion of company's products, technology, services at selected trade fairs and exhibitions.
A comprehensive coaching programme with tailored market and sectoral insights and information on local business culture before during and after the business mission.
A cost-effective way to explore the Japanese and Korean markets with shared resources and collective activities organised by the programme and co-financing of accommodation costs.
A series of optional co-financed services complete our standard offer.
The EU Business Hub - Japan and the Republic of Korea’ continues the legacy of the EU Gateway programme founded in the early 1990s by the European Union (EU).
The programme was implemented through various editions of EU-funded missions aiming to strengthen economic interaction, cooperation and business relations between the EU and Japan. The initiative later expanded into the Republic of Korea, Southeast Asia, and China.
Previous edition: EU Gateway Business Avenues
2016-2020
27,200
B2B meetings organised
38,000
Asian visitors attracted
2,236
European companies supported in establishing business linkages
53
EU-funded business missions organised in Japan, Republic of Korea, Southeast Asia, and China
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