The EU-Japan Centre took part in the EEN Annual Conference 2021 with four speakers who presented the activities of EEN Japan and in particular its support toward the internationalisation process of SMEs. Alessandro Perna presented the benefits of the EU-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) and useful services for SMEs related to the EPA such as the Access2Markets Database and the EU-Japan EPA Helpdesk. Fabrizio Mura introduced various projects in which EEN Japan is involved such as pitching and matchmaking events in the fields of new technologies, healthcare and food & beverage, as well as synergies with other services of the EU-Japan Centre. Finally, Florence Arnu presented the growing trend of EU-Japan business cooperation in emerging markets which was emphasised by Philippe de Taxis du Poët who also highlighted the potential of EU SMEs in the fields of digital and green technologies.
The sessions "Internationalisation in the post-pandemic world (Part I and II)" were co-organised by the EU-Japan Centre, Brussels Enterprises Commerce and Industry and the French Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Vietnam (EEN Vietnam). The two sessions aimed at reinforcing synergies with EEN members in Europe and in the world and various organisations were introduced to this effect such as the European Cluster Collaboration Platform (ECCP) and the European Trade Promotion Organisation Association (ETPOA).