Minister of Industry trade & labor Ehud Olmert and Japan's Minister of the Economy Trade and Industry Shoichi Nakagawa signed last week in Tokyo a document calling on Japanese businesspeople to visit Israel and expand their ties with Israeli companies.
The Japanese minister noted the importance for Japanese companies to visit Israel and expand their knowledge of Israeli industry.
The document was signed at the conclusion of their two days ministerial meeting, during which the ministers discussed several ways & means of encouraging bilateral economic relations.
The document also states that the Japanese minister is well aware of the rapid technological developments in Israel, and that Israel has made valuable contribution to the countries bilateral relations and economic cooperation.
Mr. Olmert also proposed during his visit that Japan & Israel would set up a joint task force to open talks for a bilateral free trade agreement. Olmert, however, said, in a press conference, that since there were hardly any substantive obstacles to widen bilateral trade, and since both Japan & Israel protect their agricultural sectors, it would be highly possible to reach a bilateral commercial agreement for investment and cooperation in R&D.
