About the programme

The Asia-Pacific region is the largest destination of Foreign Direct Investments (FDIs) globally and it is a powerhouse for global trade. The EU Business Hub - Japan and the Republic of Korea aims to boost the presence and visibility of EU companies operating in the green, digital, and healthcare sectors where potential for increased cooperation between European and Japanese and European and Korean companies exists.

The programme aims to strengthen EU businesses' internationalisation, export and investment activities, as well as foster more resilient, sustainable, and technologically advanced value chains with the two Asian markets. Thus, significantly supporting the implementation of EU-RoK Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and the EU-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA).

The EU Business Hub will organise 10 business missions in Japan and 10 in the Republic of Korea over the next four years, each business mission allowing a group of approximately 50 innovative EU companies to benefit from extensive business coaching and B2B matchmaking. Participating companies are carefully selected based on criteria including their products and technologies, resources and capacity, as well as business strategy.

Business missions to Korea will encompass all three priority sectors, while business missions to Japan will target the green and digital sectors. 

Before the mission week, the selected companies receive systematic business coaching to prepare them for entering these markets. During the mission week, participants can meet a number of potential business partners at a two-day business exhibition, as well as take part in events designed to provide business opportunities and deepen their knowledge of the local market. 

By 2027, close to 1000 EU companies will benefit from the EU Business Hub programme.