************************************************************************* Issue 8 [November 2006] OCCI e-Magazine http://www.osaka.cci.or.jp/e/index.html ************************************************************************* [CONTENTS, November 2006] 1."East Asian Entrepreneurs' Market Entry Program" successfully concluded 2. Recent activities on the promotion of 2008 G8 Summit in Osaka/Kansai 3. OCCI International Div. reports on VIP visitors and upcoming seminars/events ========================================================================= 1."East Asian Entrepreneurs' Market Entry Program" successfully concluded Ten corporate executives from the East Asian region who are exploring the possibility of expanding their businesses into the Japanese market gathered in Osaka to participate in the "East Asian Entrepreneurs' Market Entry Program". During the three-day program, which started on October 25, the participants took full advantage of the individual business talk sessions and company visit programs that were organized by OCCI. Participating companies included 3 from Shanghai, 2 from ShanDong Province, Taiwan and Hong Kong respectively, and 1 from South Korea. The total number of business talks held during the program period was 73. They proved to be very successful in enabling the participants to gather the latest information and to find potential business partners. The result of the follow up questionnaire showed that 4 out of 10 participating companies were willing to start their business operations in Osaka within one year. O-BIC (Osaka Business and Investment Center) will keep close contact with these companies and will provide necessary follow up services. * For more information on the companies participating in the "East Asian Entrepreneurs' Market Entry Program" please access the following: http://www.g-boc.com/vbt/e/search/index.php?zone=12 * Contact: Ms. C. Tsuetani, Mr. S. Saito International Division, OCCI TEL: +81-6-6944]6400 FAX: +81-6-6944-6293 ======================================================================= 2. Events to gather momentum for promoting the 2008 G8 Summit in Osaka/Kansai "The 2008 G8 Summit in Osaka/Kansai Promotion Council"(Organized by Osaka Prefectural Government, Osaka Municipal Government, OCCI, Kansai Association of Corporate Executives and Kansai Employers' Association. Chaired by Ms. Fusae Ohta, Governor of Osaka) held its 'Enlarged Assembly' on November 10 to gather momentum for promoting the 2008 G8 Summit in Osaka/Kansai. The assembly was attended by more than 800 people including Mr. Akio Nomura (Chairman of OCCI), Ms. Fusae Ohta (Governor of Osaka), Mr. Junichi Seki (Mayor of Osaka), representatives from over 100 supporting organizations, members of the national diet, as well as prefectural and city council, representatives from chambers of commerce in Osaka, and many more. Following the video presentation demonstrating the various attractions of Osaka together with the advantages of the proposed plan for the Osaka Castle Summit, many supporting messages from various leaders were introduced. Thereafter, OCCI Chairman Mr. Nomura, who also serves as Vice Chairman of the Promotion Council, announced the "Declaration of the Enlarged Assembly" and it was approved unanimously with a thunderous applause. On November 6, the Council invited the members of the Kansai Consular Corps and introduced the Osaka Castle Summit plan by taking them on a helicopter flight. In the evening, a reception was held at the Osaka Guest House "Osaka Geihinkan" which is the proposed venue for the G8 Summit programs. The Consular Corps members gave encouraging comments by saying, "Having had the opportunity to view the city from the sky, we could see that Osaka has a perfect infrastructure including a great transportation network. We feel very confident that Osaka is an ideal venue for any type of large-scale conference. And Osaka Castle can be described as a 'retreat within a metropolisf ensuring utmost security and amenity to the distinguished visitors. Also, the visitors coming here will surely be welcomed by the warm hospitality of Osaka people.h Mr. Makoto Kato, OCCI Vice Chairman attended the reception and talked to the Consuls General of the various countries and asked for their understanding and support of the proposed plan. * For more details: http://www.summit2008osaka.jp/ (Details given in Japanese only) * Contact: Mr. S. Ishikawa International Division, OCCI TEL: +81-6-6944]6400 FAX: +81-6-6944-6293 ========================================================================= 3. OCCI Reports [VIP visitors] * October 20, Fri Mr. Nirupam Sen, Minister Depts. Of Commerce & Industries, Industrial Reconstruction Public Enterprises and Development & Planning Government of West Bengal, India * October 27, Fri Mr. Hugh Richardson, Ambassador Delegation of the European Commission to Japan European Union, Tokyo * November 14, Tue Mr. Surendra Bir Malakar, Chairman Nepal Chamber of Commerce and Industry * November 17, Fri Mr. Radzi Rahman Bajunid, Ambassador of Malaysia Embassy of Malaysia, Tokyo [Seminars and other events] * November 28-December 1 "East China Fair 2006 Osaka" (For more details: http://www.fair.or.jp/china/) * December 1, Fri "2006 International Meishi Exchange" (For more details: http://www.osaka.cci.or.jp/e/support/event/061201.pdf) * December 31, Sun 'Osaka Nightlife Culturef Project "New Yearfs Eve Live Concert for Adults" @Yamamoto Noh Theater (For more details: http://www.osaka-nightculture.com/detail.php3?eid=623) OCCI, together with Yamamoto Noh Association, will host a eNew Year's Eve Live Concert for Adultsf from 9 pm on December 31 (Sun). The audience will be able to enjoy various Japanese traditional performances including Noh, Storytelling, Rakugo (Comic storytelling), Kyogen Play (Short comic drama) and traditional music. [Admission] Advance purchase: \ 4,500/Day Ticket: \ 5,000(Per person, Tax inclusivej *****yNoticez***** There will be NO December issue due to the winter holidays. We appreciate your kind understanding and look forward to sending out our next issue in January 2007. ======================================================================