On February 9, 2025, Jasem Albudaiwi, Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), welcomed Masayuki Hyodo, Chairman of Sumitomo Corporation, along with a delegation from the Japan Business Federation, in Riyadh.

The meeting highlighted the longstanding historical and economic relationships between GCC nations and Japan, as reported by the General Secretariat of the GCC.

Albudaiwi emphasized Japan’s role as a strategic partner in the region, reaffirming a mutual commitment to bolster bilateral cooperation across various sectors.

This meeting reflects ongoing efforts to strengthen economic ties and enhance collaborative initiatives between the GCC and Japan.