The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is expanding its global presence with new offices in Japan and the US.

The EBRD opened its first representative office in Tokyo, aiming to further increase its business relationships with Japanese corporations.

“Japan is a very important partner for the EBRD. By increasing our presence in the country we shall be able to support more Japanese companies as they seek investment opportunities in the EBRD regions. We shall also step up the transfer of Japanese skills and know-how to the emerging economies that we serve,” said EBRD president Suma Chakrabarti at the office’s inauguration.

Chakrabarti also mentioned that the EBRD will inaugurate a permanent office in Washington DC next month. The US is the bank’s largest shareholder.

Like the US, Japan is a founding shareholder of the EBRD, a major investor in the emerging economies where the EBRD is active and an important donor in support of EBRD projects. The Tokyo office is headed by Masaru Honma, who acts as director and chief representative.