From April 12 to 19, 2025, a regional delegation from Bourgogne-Franche-Comté traveled to Japan as part of the Osaka 2025 World Expo. This international cooperation mission aims to strengthen economic, scientific, touristic, and institutional ties with one of the major economic hubs in the Asia-Pacific region.
A regional delegation committed to promoting the territory’s ambitions
The delegation included elected representatives from the Bourgogne-Franche-Comté Regional Council, the City of Dijon, Dijon Métropole, as well as many institutional and economic partners:
- CCI Bourgogne-Franche-Comté
- Produits Gourmands de Bourgogne-Franche-Comté
- Regional Economic Agency of Bourgogne-Franche-Comté (AER BFC)
- Dijon Bourgogne Invest
- International City of Gastronomy and Wine – Dijon
- Destination Dijon
- The competitiveness clusters Vitagora, Pôle Véhicule du Futur
- And around ten regional companies
This mission is led by Vitagora, the agri-food competitiveness cluster.
Strong political and economic representation
The Bourgogne-Franche-Comté Region was represented by:
- Nicolas Soret, Vice-President in charge of finance, economic development, social and solidarity economy, and employment
- Patrick Molinoz, Vice-President in charge of digital transitions, innovation, European policies, international actions, and export
AER BFC was represented by:
- Agnès Ramillon, Managing Director
- Nicolas Grenier, Head of national and international business development
Strengthening cooperation with Japan
This mission aimed to:
- Promote regional centers of excellence
- Highlight Burgundian-Franche-Comté expertise
- Identify new economic partnership opportunities
- Deepen institutional exchanges with a view to long-term cooperation projects
On the agenda:
- Meetings with prospects in collaboration with Business France
- Promotional activities with the French Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Japan
- Institutional meetings to explore new collaboration paths between Bourgogne-Franche-Comté and Japan
A strategic event in a major international setting
Participation in the Osaka 2025 World Expo is a strategic opportunity for Bourgogne-Franche-Comté. This international showcase will position the region as a land of innovation, industrial know-how, and quality of life, aligned with current economic and environmental challenges.