Joint projects in artificial intelligence, drones and unmanned systems, robotics, energy and cybersecurity, as well as support mechanisms for Ukrainian-Japanese business cooperation, were among the key topics discussed at the Ukraine-Japan Advanced Technology Business Forum in Kobe, Japan.
Concrete financial and insurance instruments are already available to support joint projects between Ukrainian and Japanese companies. During the "From Interest to Business" panel, Business Engagement Adviser Oksana Havryliv presented the opportunities available to both sides.
Japanese support programmes include JICA grants for pilot projects, a JBIC credit line through the Black Sea Trade and Development Bank (BSTDB), and war risk insurance provided by NEXI. Investors in Ukraine can benefit from state support covering up to 30% of the cost of special investment projects, a ten-year corporate income tax exemption in industrial parks, and the special tax regime offered by Diia.City.
During the panel discussion "Why Choose Ukrainian Technology and Business Now?", Adviser to the Minister Andrii Teliupa joined representatives of Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), JICA and the Kobe city government to explore how Ukrainian technologies could help address Japan's social and industrial challenges.
As part of the forum's B2B programme, Ukraine's Ministry of Economy facilitated business connections between Ukrainian and Japanese companies. The team reviewed requests from Japanese partners and identified Ukrainian companies whose products and services matched their needs.
The forum brought together 25 Ukrainian technology companies, which held 105 meetings with Japanese businesses, including major corporations such as Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Rakuten, Sysmex, ShinMaywa and Prodrone.
