The Lithuanian Robotics Association and its members – Elinta Robotics, Integrated Optics and Rubedo sistemos – took part in the business mission to Japan in October. The delegation was also joined by Gamybos inovacijų slėnis (the Manufacturing Innovation Valley), femtosecond laser manufacturers Litilit, as well as Workshop of Photonics operating in the field of femtosecond lasers and Black Swan Space, which develops autonomous software for space satellite mission integrators.
The Lithuanian-Japanese high-tech business forum was also held during the business mission. Welcoming speeches at this forum were given by the Prime Minister of the Republic of Lithuania Ingrida Šimonytė and the Vice-Minister of Economy and Innovation Karolis Žemaitis. In her speech, the prime minister highlighted the prospects for closer Lithuanian-Japanese business cooperation in the fields of lasers, life sciences, engineering, robotics, artificial intelligence and space technologies.
During the forum, companies presented their products and met with Japanese corporations such as Nippon Electric Glass, Mitsubishi Logisnext, FANUC Corporation, Komatsu Industries Corp., Laser Systems, Sojitz Aerospace, IHI Aerospace, Amada, KIOXIA and others.
Romualda Stragienė, Director of the Innovation Agency: ‘Although Japan ranks 37th among Lithuania’s trading partners overall, it is one of the main destinations for biotechnology and innovation, both in terms of exports and scientific cooperation. The notion that the Japanese are particularly difficult to establish contact with is not incorrect, but with an official delegation and strong political support, it was easy for us to get a foot in the door of strategically important Japanese organisations’.
The delegation visited Ibaraki Prefecture, where the city of Tsukuba is renowned for its high-tech science and innovation institutions, and research institutes, exploring the practical industrial applications of technology and science. The participants visited Japan’s National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), the National Institute for Materials Science (NIMS), Panasonic, Shimizu corporation, Cyberdyne Inc., Japan Management Association and JETRO (Japan External Trade Organisation).
CEO of Elinta Robotics Aurelijus Beleckis, who was present at the visit, said that the official visit was particularly effective in establishing new contacts and renewing old ones.
‘The Asian market is a difficult and closed market, but when we met face-to-face and with strong government support, we were warmly received by our partners. The acquaintances made during this visit will not instantly turn into long-term partnerships, but it is a good start’, said Beleckis.
However, immediate results were also achieved, added Beleckis: ‘During the visit, we presented the partners’ product – an automated sheet metal bending robot. One of the companies was very interested, expressed their wish to represent it in Japan and plans to visit Lithuania to get a closer look at the products’.
Efforts to develop bilateral cooperation do not end with this business mission to Japan. In December this year, the Lithuanian Commercial Attaché will start working in Japan, and Japanese companies will be invited to visit Lithuanian events and become acquainted with the country’s start-ups and the most successful innovators.
The Innovation Agency organises 10–15 business missions per year to strategic foreign markets, as well as hosts’ reciprocal business visits to Lithuania from other countries. Business missions are usually accompanied by high-level officials from both countries and political agreements that help to accelerate the establishment of potential business contacts in foreign markets.
