CAREER

My career started in the pharmaceutical and healthcare sector after graduating with a Bachelor of Pharmacy in Egypt. I first worked as a Pharmacist Officer within the Egyptian Armed Forces, where I gained strong experience in pharmaceutical operations, inventory management, compliance, and healthcare systems under highly structured environments.

In 2007, I founded Nawawy Pharmacy Group in Egypt. Starting from a single branch, I successfully scaled the business into a nationwide pharmacy group of 75 branches with more than 500 employees and annual revenues reaching approximately USD 36 million. During this period, I was responsible for overall business strategy, operations, P&L management, supply chain development, recruitment, and partnerships with major pharmaceutical companies such as Pfizer, AstraZeneca, and GSK.

Beyond healthcare retail, I also expanded into pharmaceutical distribution and private-label healthcare products, which strengthened my understanding of entrepreneurship, business expansion, and market development.

After successfully exiting the business in 2020, I decided to relocate to Japan to pursue new international opportunities and challenge myself in a completely different environment. Japan attracted me because of its professionalism, innovation, discipline, and long-term business culture.

Since moving to Japan, I have continued developing my international business career while working in highly regulated and multicultural environments. I currently work as a Doping Control Officer with IDTM International in Japan, supporting international sports events under WADA regulations while coordinating with athletes, organizers, and medical teams from different countries.

At the same time, I started building a strong professional network inside Japan with the objective of creating mutually beneficial partnerships between Japanese companies and Middle Eastern businesses. My vision is to support Middle Eastern companies entering Japan while also helping Japanese companies explore expansion opportunities into MENA markets.

Currently, I am working with two Middle Eastern companies that are preparing to enter the Japanese market. My role includes helping facilitate local connections, strategic introductions, communication support, and understanding Japanese business culture and market expectations.

My main focus is on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), because I believe they are often more flexible, adaptive, and open to international collaboration compared to larger corporations. SMEs also have strong potential for fast innovation and long-term partnership growth across borders.

In parallel, I am also involved with Urban Star on an international investment project valued at approximately USD 15 million, supporting investor relations and cross-border business communication between MENA markets and Canadian development opportunities.

I believe my multicultural experience across healthcare, entrepreneurship, investment, and international operations allows me to act as a strong bridge between Japan and global markets.

BUSINESS

My current business activities focus on international business development, investment consulting, and strategic market expansion between Japan, the Middle East, and international markets.

One of my key areas of focus is helping overseas companies better understand and approach the Japanese market. Japan is one of the most respected and sophisticated business environments in the world, but successful market entry requires much more than simply having a good product or service. Trust, long-term relationships, cultural understanding, and local networking are extremely important.

Since relocating to Japan, I have been actively building a professional network of entrepreneurs, business owners, consultants, and corporate professionals with the goal of creating mutually beneficial partnerships between Japan and the Middle East.

My strategy is based on creating two-way value. On one side, I support Middle Eastern companies interested in entering Japan through networking, market understanding, strategic introductions, and communication support. On the other side, I aim to help Japanese companies expand into Middle Eastern markets by utilizing my cultural understanding, regional business knowledge, and Arabic-speaking network.

Currently, I am working with two Middle Eastern companies that are preparing to enter the Japanese market. I support them by helping establish local relationships and navigate the business culture and expectations of Japan.

My primary interest is in supporting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). I believe SMEs are often more dynamic, adaptable, and open to innovation and international collaboration. Compared to larger corporations, SMEs can move faster, build closer partnerships, and adapt more efficiently to cross-border opportunities.

In parallel, I am also involved with Urban Star on an international investment project valued at approximately USD 15 million, where I support investor communication and business development activities related to Canadian land investment opportunities for MENA investors.

Because of my background in healthcare, pharmacy operations, entrepreneurship, and international business management, I have a particular interest in healthcare innovation, medical businesses, pharmaceutical partnerships, and regulated industries. However, my activities also extend into entrepreneurship, investment, recruitment, and international strategic partnerships.

My long-term goal is to continue building a strong international platform that connects Japanese and Middle Eastern businesses while contributing to stronger economic cooperation, innovation, and sustainable long-term partnerships between both regions.

VISION

My long-term vision is to become a strong bridge between Japan, the Middle East, and international markets by creating sustainable business relationships based on trust, mutual benefit, and long-term collaboration.

I believe Japan has exceptional strengths in quality, innovation, precision, healthcare, technology, and business culture, while the Middle East offers rapidly growing markets, ambitious development plans, strong investment capabilities, and increasing openness to international partnerships. My goal is to help connect these strengths together in a practical and sustainable way.

One of the biggest challenges I see today between Japan and the Middle East is the lack of trust and direct business familiarity between both regions. Many excellent companies and products never reach the other market simply because there is not yet a strong bridge of trusted relationships, local understanding, and communication support.

For this reason, my vision is not limited to a single project or industry. I want to build multiple long-term partnerships across different sectors inside Japan in order to create a reliable bridge of trust between Japan and the Middle East. I believe trust is the true foundation of successful international business, especially in Japan.

My objective is to help make market entry into both regions easier, faster, and more accessible for small and medium-sized companies that may not have large international teams or resources. I particularly focus on SMEs because they are often more adaptable, innovative, and open to building genuine long-term partnerships.

In the future, I would like to see more Middle Eastern products successfully entering the Japanese market and becoming visible in daily life in Japan. At the same time, I want to help more Japanese companies expand into Middle Eastern markets with confidence and strong local support.

Personally, one of the things I would be proud to see is products displayed with both Arabic and Japanese languages together — products that represent successful cooperation, mutual trust, and cultural connection between both regions. For me, this would symbolize a real bridge between Japan and the Middle East, built not only through business, but also through understanding and collaboration.

To realize this vision, I need to continue expanding my professional network and building stronger relationships with entrepreneurs, investors, consultants, healthcare professionals, distributors, and corporate leaders both inside and outside Japan.

I would especially like to connect with individuals and companies that believe in long-term partnerships, international growth, innovation, and cross-cultural collaboration. I am interested in connecting with SMEs, healthcare companies, medical technology startups, investment groups, distributors, recruitment companies, and organizations looking to expand between Japan and the Middle East.

I believe the future belongs to people and companies that can successfully connect different cultures, markets, and opportunities while creating real value for both sides. My goal is not only business success, but also contributing to stronger international cooperation and building relationships that create lasting impact for future generations.

Amir Elnawawy is an Egyptian entrepreneur, business developer, and international investment consultant currently based in Chiba, Japan. With more than 20 years of experience across healthcare, entrepreneurship, operations management, and international business development, he has built a unique career connecting different markets and cultures.

He is the founder and former CEO of Nawawy Pharmacy Group in Egypt, where he successfully scaled the business from a single pharmacy into a 75-branch enterprise with more than 500 employees and multi-million-dollar annual revenues. His experience includes healthcare management, pharmaceutical distribution, recruitment, strategic partnerships, and business expansion.

After relocating to Japan, Amir focused on building international networks and creating business opportunities between Japan, the Middle East, and North America. He is currently involved in investment consulting, international market expansion projects, and cross-border business development activities, including supporting Middle Eastern companies preparing to enter the Japanese market.

Amir strongly believes in the importance of trust, cultural understanding, and long-term relationships in international business. His mission is to help create stronger economic and business connections between Japan and the Middle East while supporting small and medium-sized enterprises in expanding internationally.

Nationality : Egyptian
Birthplace : Cairo
University：October 6th university