On 27.02 – 02.03.2023, the EXTRA LIGHT Consortium organized its first project exploratory mission to Japan where the partner clusters had the opportunity to learn more about the public procurement and business market entrance opportunities for the EU lighting and furniture SMEs associated to Rete di Imprese Luce in Veneto, CICAT Lighting Cluster, Biz-Up Building Innovation Cluster, and Cluster Lumière.
Four days of great meetings with the Municipality of Shibuya-Tokyo and local companies at the IFFT International Furniture Fair Tokyo – Nikkei Messe. Inspiring dialogue with Maestro architect Kengo Kuma, along with very important B2B meetings and networking with local architects and design studios, importers, and key sectoral associations like Japan Lighting Manufacturers and Designers Association as well as the EU-Japan Centre for Industrial Cooperation – Japan office.
The project mission was coordinated by ELCA European Lighting Cluster Alliance (project coordinator) and organized with the support of the Italian Chamber of Commerce in Japan.
After intensive months dedicated to training and upskilling activities related to government procurement in Japan, EXTRA LIGHT partners had the hands-on opportunity to deepen the topic directly with “public buyers” of Tokyo – Shibuya municipalities, and potential local business partners for the European SMEs in the tendering process.
