On October 27 & 28, European automotive suppliers and Japanese vehicle manufacturers gathered in Venice, Italy, for the 10^th edition of the JAMA-CLEPA Business Summit, celebrating automotive excellence and reaffirming 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 harmonisation.

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 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 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% 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”.

CLEPA is the European Association of Automotive Suppliers. 119 of the world's most prominent suppliers for car parts, systems and modules and 23 national trade associations and European sector associations are members of CLEPA, representing more than 3,000 companies, employing more than 5 million people and covering all products and services within the automotive supply chain. Based in Brussels, Belgium, CLEPA is recognised as the natural discussion partner by the European Institutions, United Nations and fellow associations (ACEA, JAMA, MEMA, etc.).

More information: www.clepa.eu or contact a.distefano@clepa.be

JAMA (Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association, Inc.) is a non-profit industry association which comprises Japan’s fourteen manufacturers of passenger cars, trucks, buses and motorcycles. JAMA works to support the sound development of the automobile industry, domestically and globally, and to contribute to social and economic welfare. As directions in auto manufacturing increasingly influence the world we live in, JAMA takes its role and mission ever more seriously, on the road to sustainable mobility.

More information: http://www.jama-english.jp/

ANFIA – Italian Association of the Automotive Industry – is one of the leading Italian Trade Associations, members of CONFINDUSTRIA. Born in March 1912, over these one hundred years, ANFIA mission has always been to represent the interests of its associate members and ensure effective communication between the Italian motor vehicle industries on the one hand, and the Public Administration and Italian political bodies on the other, with regard to all technical, economic, fiscal, legal, statistical and quality-related issues referred to the automotive sector. The Association is structured in three product-based Groups, each one chaired by a President.

More information: http://www.anfia.it/