A Saudi packaging trade mission will take part the Tokyo International Packaging Exhibition to be held from Oct. 5 to 9. Yoshitaka Nakamura, the director general of the Riyadh office of Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO), told Jeddah-based 'Arab News' that the visit of the Saudi delegation is in line with the recommendations of the fifth Saudi-Japan Business Council Joint Meeting and the Council of the Saudi Chambers of Commerce and Industry. He said the exhibition would feature the state of the art in production and packaging industry as well as the latest technology in converting and food processing machinery, packaging-related machinery, equipment for environmental protection and materials handling-related equipment. Nakamura said that the Saudi trade mission could explore the possibilities of setting up joint ventures with Japanese businessmen. There are currently 19 Saudi-Japanese joint ventures in the Kingdom in the petrochemical, electrical, telecommunication, textile, printing and water desalination sectors. Among the most recent ones is the joint venture between Yellow Hats of Japan and the Tamimi Group for setting up a chain of automotive-related accessories and spare parts shops catering for all types of vehicles. Operating under franchise from Yellow Hats, the first of three shops will open in Riyadh, Jeddah and the Eastern Province toward the end of this year.
