Vice Minister Yamada Visits Bahrain and Turkey
Overview
On September 1, Vice Minister Yamada held talks in Bahrain with government officials on energy security, economic and energy transition, sustainable growth, and economic diversification, and inspected the Sitra Refinery and Alba’s aluminum plant. On September 3, he exchanged views in Turkey with relevant stakeholders on cooperation among private companies, trade and investment, the 2nd Japan-Turkey Energy Forum, and cooperation toward COP31.
Key points
- On September 1, talks with government officials and inspections of major facilities were conducted in Bahrain.
- Japan and Bahrain agreed to deepen cooperation in the energy and economic fields.
- On September 3, trade and investment, business cooperation, and energy cooperation were discussed in Turkey.
- Japan and Turkey agreed to cooperate closely toward the success of COP31.
Overview
During the visit, a wide range of cooperation issues with Bahrain and Turkey were addressed through talks with government and economic officials from both countries, including energy security, economic transition, trade and investment, and cooperation among private companies.
In Bahrain, energy- and industry-related facilities were inspected, while in Turkey, future cooperation toward holding the 2nd Japan-Turkey Energy Forum and coordination toward COP31 were discussed.
Impact
The Sitra Refinery is a core facility supporting Bahrain’s energy supply, while Alba’s aluminum plant, the first aluminum smelter in the Middle East, has long supported the country’s industrial and economic development.
Details
In Bahrain, energy security was discussed with the Minister of Oil and Environment, Mohammed bin Mubarak bin Daina, and the parties agreed to strengthen cooperation in the energy sector. Economic and energy transition and broad economic cooperation were discussed with the Minister of Finance and the Minister of Industry and Commerce, while cooperation toward sustainable growth and economic diversification was exchanged with the Minister of Sustainable Development.
In Turkey, cooperation among private companies and trade and investment relations, including cooperation in third countries, were discussed with the Chair of the DEIK Turkey-Japan Business Council and the Deputy Minister of Trade, respectively, and the parties agreed to further advance cooperation. With the Deputy Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, progress since the previous forum and future cooperation toward holding the 2nd Japan-Turkey Energy Forum were discussed.
Japan and Turkey agreed to continue close coordination and deepen exchanges of views toward the success of COP31, which will be held in Antalya, Turkey, in November.