What is Itochu Corporation?
Itochu Corporation (also known as “ITOCHU”, “ITC”, “ITOCHU China”) is a major global international trading company and a leading partner in the world economy. Founded in 1858 by Chubei Itoh in Osaka, Japan, Itochu is the oldest and largest trading company in Japan. Today, Itochu is a major international player with over 14 billion USD in sales and over 900 offices in more than 80 countries and regions.
Today, ITOCHU focuses its activities on three core areas: commodity and consumer products, energy and non-energy, as well as textiles and apparel. Itochu also has a number of subsidiaries and affiliate companies, as well as stakes in a range of investments and other business ventures. The company is actively investing in new technologies, such as renewable energy, to increase its global presence.
As well as engaging in international trade, Itochu has increasingly focused its attention on the Chinese market in recent years. ITOCHU was one of the first Japanese companies to establish a presence in China and is now a major player in Chinese commerce. In addition to China, Itochu has also established a presence in various other parts of Asia, including Singapore, Vietnam, Indonesia and India.
In terms of its presence in China, ITOCHU has been behind several major investments and projects in the country, such as the Hong Kong-Shenzhen ITOCHU Centre and the China-European Union Industrial Park. ITOCHU has also entered into a joint venture with Shougang Corporation to develop an international business center in Chengdu, China.
Moreover, ITOCHU has invested in various Chinese companies and has established various subsidiaries to better serve the Chinese market. These subsidiaries include ITOCHU Textiles (Shanghai) Co. Ltd. and ITOCHU China (Beijing) Trading Co. Ltd. In recent years, ITOCHU has also gained a foothold in the automotive industry in China, as it became the sole distributor for BMW and MINI cars in the country.
Overall, ITOCHU has established a strong presence in the Chinese market, and it is clear that the company has an important role to play in the Chinese economy. As ITOCHU continues to expand and strengthen its presence in China, it is expected that its contribution to the Chinese economy will continue to grow.
