World Expo 2025 Programme Launch to create UK-Japan business opportunities

1 May 2024

Thames Valley Chamber of Commerce has launched the World Expo 2025 Programme, as a UK-wide national project, to help British businesses succeed in the Japanese market, leading up to the World Expo 2025 Osaka Kansai. The programme offers resources like startup support, market entry assistance, import/export guidance, and networking opportunities. Thames Valley Chamber of Commerce leads the initiative in partnership with British Chamber of Commerce, Department for Business and Trade, British Embassy in Japan, British Consulate General Osaka, Embassy of Japan in the UK, JETRO London, METI (Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry) Kansai Bureau, Osaka Chamber of Commerce and both UK and Japanese local authorities,  aiming to leverage the World Expo for UK businesses to showcase themselves to a global audience.

courtesy of Embassy of Japan in the UK and Thames Valley Chamber of Commerce

Thames Valley Chamber of Commerce Launches Programme to Support Businesses at World Expo 2025 Osaka Kansai, Japan

New programme focuses on creating business opportunities for UK companies in Japan

 

WINDSOR, UK – 25 April, 2024 – Thames Valley Chamber of Commerce (TVCC) has launched the World Expo 2025 Programme, as a UK-wide national project, to help British businesses succeed in the Japanese market, leading up to the World Expo 2025 Osaka Kansai. 

 

The launch event was held at Konami Digital Entertainment B.V. in Windsor, UK.

Attendees included representatives from the Japanese and UK governments, including the Japanese Ambassador to the UK, H.E. Hayashi, and Ben Spencer, MP for Runnymede and Weybridge. Video messages were received from Carolyn Davidson, British Consul General Osaka & the UK Commissioner General to Expo, Tsuyoshi Morishita, Director General, METI (Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry) Kansai Bureau, and Takayoshi Negoro, Director, International Division, Osaka Chamber of Commerce.

Guests also included UK businesses already trading with Japanese companies or those seriously interested in entering the Japanese market.

 

The programme will focus on a variety of resources to help UK businesses succeed in Japan, including:

  • Support for startups
  • Assistance with new market entry
  • Import and export resources
  • A global startup pitch competition for UK startups in Osaka
  • Virtual meet-the-buyer events
  • Webinars on new market entry and specific sectors

The programme is being led by the TVCC in partnership with British Chamber of Commerce, Department for Business and Trade, British Embassy in Japan, British Consulate General Osaka, Embassy of Japan in the UK, JETRO London, METI (Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry) Kansai Bureau, Osaka Chamber of Commerce and both UK and Japanese local authorities.

 

“This is a fantastic opportunity for UK businesses to showcase their products and services to a global audience,” said Mr Paul Britton, Chief Executive at TVCC. “We are confident that this programme will help UK businesses to take advantage of the close relationship we have developed with Osaka, Kansai over the last 10 years.”

 

The World Expo 2025 Osaka Kansai, Japan will be held from April to October 2025. The Expo is expected to attract millions of visitors from around the world. Masako Eguchi-Bacon (CEO of OBM , and Head of Japan Desk, TVCC) is leading the programme together with Ms Anne White, Head of International Trade and Compliance, TVCC.

 

Reference:

World Expo 2025 Programme Website is here

How Thames Valley and Kansai have established a close relationship over the last 10 years: