CEJE organises a conference to highlight the importance of bilateral collaboration in the health sector between Spain and Japan

The Círculo Empresarial Japón España (CEJE) joined ICEX and Foment del Treball to organise a landmark event focused on business relations in the health sector between Spain and Japan. Entitled ‘The Health Sector in Spain-Japan Relations’, this day of dialogue brought together prominent business leaders and public administration to discuss and explore opportunities for collaboration in this crucial area.

The event’s agenda was packed with significant presentations and panel discussions addressing various aspects of the health sector. The welcome was given by Roser Fernández, President of the Commission for Personal, Health and Social Care (CAPSiS) of Foment del Treball, Jorge Lasheras, President of CEJE, and Robert Fabregat, CEO of BIOCAT. One of the highlights of the event was the opening speech delivered by Shinichiro Miyaguchi, First Secretary and Economic Attaché of the Embassy of Japan in Spain, who provided a detailed overview of recent developments in Japanese health policy. He emphasised the importance of international collaboration in the field of health.

One of the round tables of the event was entitled ‘The importance of the Health sector in Spain and Japan’, where experts such as José Ignacio Pradas from ICEX, Julia Caro from AEMPS, Cristina Serradell from ACCIÓ, Cristina Arnés from Farmaindustria and Carlos Sisternas from FENIN Catalunya, among others, shared their perspectives on the current outlook and future opportunities in the health sector in both countries. Pradas stressed that ‘Japan, as the third largest economy in the world in economic terms, represents relatively little for Spanish foreign trade. It is clear that this channel of business and collaboration must be encouraged’.

Julia Caro pointed out that the AEMPS’s ‘main objective is to provide support and service to Spanish companies. Japanese companies have to use the same standard that is required in Japan to enter our market, they should get a partner to enter the Spanish sector’.

Another panel at the event was entitled ‘Two markets: the business vision’, moderated by Jaime del Barrio of EY Healthcare & Life Sciences. Here, business leaders such as Ana Pilar González of AGC PHarma, Jordi Puig of AzbilTelstar and Dr. Enric Jo of Reig Jofre offered their analysis of the business prospects and potential areas of collaboration between Spain and Japan in the field of healthcare.

The event concluded with closing remarks by Mr. Yasushi Sato, Consul General of Japan in Barcelona, who reiterated the importance of strengthening trade and collaboration ties between the two countries in the field of health. In summary, the event organised by CEJE, ICEX and Foment del Treball provided an invaluable platform for the exchange of ideas and the exploration of opportunities for collaboration in the health sector between Spain and Japan. These joint efforts not only strengthen bilateral relations, but also promote advancement and innovation in an area so crucial to the well-being of society.