UAE the Minister of Foreign Trade Sheikha Lubna bint Khalid Al Qasimi held talks with a delegation from the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) led by Koichi Yajima, the Director of the energy and natural resources department at JBIC and member of its board of directors. During the meeting, the two sides discussed UAE – Japanese ties and the diverse investment opportunities that are available in the UAE, especially those born of the country’s economic diversification strategy. The WAM news agency reoprted that the discussions centered on increasing the investments of Japanese institutions in the UAE, with an emphasis on increasing those in the renewable energy, manufacturing and technology sectors. Speaking to the Japanese delegation, Sheikha Lubna emphasized the UAE’s keenness on strengthening its economic, trade and investment cooperation with Japan, adding that the UAE continues to launch development projects in all sectors, especially in infrastructure, renewable energy, technology, and other non-oil sectors. The Minister told the visiting delegation that the Government’s economic development and diversification plans call for the execution of numerous projects across a multitude of sectors, further positioning the UAE as a preferred and important regional and international investment destination. She pointed out that the renewable energy, manufacturing and other non-oil industries are regarded as some of the sectors that will play an integral part in boosting the country’s economic diversification, calling on the JBIC and other Japanese institutions to benefit from the UAE’s plans in this regard For his part, Yagima stressed on the importance of the UAE for his bank and for many Japanese and global financial institutions, especially that it is continuing with its multi-sector development and growth programs. The head of the Japanese delegation also briefed the Ministry of Foreign Trade on the role JBIC is playing in various vital energy and infrastructure projects being executed in the UAE, stressing on the banks keenness on increasing its investment and financial cooperation with all UAE institutions.