KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia expects business opportunities worth about US$20bil (RM85bil) from the spillover benefits of the 2025 World Expo to be held in Osaka, Japan, according to the Malaysia External Trade Development Corp (Matrade).

       It said Malaysia would focus on the various opportunities including the sustainable development goals in line with the world expo 2025’s themed “Designing future society for our lives”.

       “Malaysia looks forward to working closely with Japan in connecting Malaysian and Japanese companies to achieve this goal,” Matrade deputy chief executive officer Sharimahton Mat Saleh said during her virtual opening remark on the programme’s opening day.

       Matrade led a virtual Export Acceleration Mission (VEAM) to Tokyo and Osaka from Nov 30 to Dec 2 in conjunction with the World Expo 2025.

       The government agency arranged an all-inclusive programme for the participants by inviting speakers during the market and knowledge-sharing sessions to provide insightful information related to the World Expo 2025, as well as the current market trends in Japan according to the sectors involved.

       With the support from the Malaysian embassy in Japan and collaboration with the Osaka City Government, Osaka Business Partner City Council, Asean Japan Centre and Malaysia-Japan Economic Association, the event had paved the way for the Malaysian companies to gain access into the Japan market.

       Through this mission, Matrade has intensified its collaboration with the Osaka Business Partner City Council and Asean Japan Centre in enhancing bilateral economic and trade ties with Japan.

       Besides the market briefing, virtual tour to retail and supermarket were also conducted to provide the real-life experience for participants as if they are in Japan, according to Matrade.More than 70 business meetings, including business-pitching sessions have been arranged with more than 30 Japanese companies in the VEAM. — Bernama