On Oct. 27-28, European automotive suppliers and Japanese vehicle manufacturers gathered in Venice, Italy, for the 10th edition of the JAMA-CLEPA Business Summit, celebrating automotive excellence and reaffirming what the two groups say are already healthy relations between Japan and Europe. The event was co-hosted by the European Association of Automotive Suppliers (CLEPA) and the Italian Association of the Automotive Industry (ANFIA).
The Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association (JAMA) and CLEPA share a long track record of close cooperation on a range of automotive policy issues, business partnerships and technical harmonization.
At the Summit, CLEPA and JAMA reconfirmed their full support for the EU-Japan Free Trade Agreement (EPA/FTA), highlighting the potential for prosperity and innovation that could result from this vital treaty. The trade of automotive parts between Europe and the rest of the world has grown to more than €75 billion (approximately $83 billion) a year, with Japan representing a key market for European suppliers, therefore a free trade agreement between the EU and Japan would foster further growth of this market, the two groups say.
The event offered the opportunity for European automotive suppliers to present Japanese vehicle manufacturers their latest technological innovations for green, safe, connected and automated driving.
CLEPA President Roberto Vavassori said, “The JAMA-CLEPA Business Summit celebrates the special relationship European suppliers and Japanese manufacturers have maintained over the years, one which has proved very fruitful and productive for our respective industries. It is our hope that the conclusion of the EU-Japan FTA will be reached soon, bringing mutual benefits such as the elimination of tariff and non-tariff barriers to trade on both sides and the respect and inclusion of UN regulations.”
Expressing the hope that “our collective efforts in the JAMA-CLEPA Business Summit will help promote even closer ties between Japan and Europe,” JAMA Purchasing Committee Chairman Masayoshi Shirayanagi also spoke of the strengthened cooperation and economic growth that the EU-Japan EPA/FTA is expected to bring and of the stated goal of EU and Japan’s leaders of concluding it in principle by the end of this year.
ANFIA President Aurelio Nervo underlined, “The Italian automotive components sector is worldwide recognized for its capability to constantly innovate in order to match the OEMs’ requirements on international level. 2015 export figures, growing by 3.3 percent compared to 2014, confirm this technological know-how both in processes and in products. Japan, is the first country of destination in Asia for Italian components manufacturers and it will remain an important trade partner in the years ahead. Italian suppliers also provide key components for Japanese OEMs to operate in Europe and USA.”
