Cyprus Minister of Energy, Commerce and Industry George Papanastasiou and Japan’s Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Economy Taku Ishii expressed a joint wish to renew their discussions with a view to strengthening economic and business ties between the two countries.

According to a press release issued by the Ministry of Commerce on Saturdy, Papanastasiou met with Ishii last Thursday in the context of his visit in Japan, heading a business delegation organised by the Ministry, the Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Cyprus Trade Centre in Tokyo.

During the meeting with the Japanese Minister, Papanastasiou briefed his interlocutor over his visit in Japan, due to the country’s expertise in the fields of technology and communications and the special culture of dedication and discipline of the country. He also referred "to the successful business forum hosted in Tokyo attracting over 120 government officials, businesspeople, representatives of research centres and journalists."

The Cypriot Minister also showcased Cyprus’ advantages as an international business centre and the opportunities for Japanese businesspeople wishing to enter the European markets. He further outlined Cyprus’ policies on energy concerning, among other things renewable energy sources, natural gas discoveries in the Cypriot EEZ, as well as the electricity interconnection of Cyprus, Greece and Israel.

According to the press release, on his part, the Japanese Vice Minister referred to the similarities of the two countries, as island states and the Japanese firms choosing Cyprus for their expansion of their activities such MUFG investor Services.

The two Ministers expressed their wish to renew their discussions over the strengthening of bilateral economic and business ties, the press release concluded.