Press Release - Asia Economic-Development Mission Starts
OFFICE OF GOV. BILL RITTER, JR.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
SUNDAY, NOV. 16, 2008
CONTACTS:
Evan Dreyer, 720.350.8370, evan.dreyer@state.co.us
Megan Castle, 303.866.2262, megan.castle@state.co.us
GOV. RITTER BEGINS ECONOMIC-DEVELOPMENT MISSION IN JAPAN
Gov. Ritter meets with Japanese Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs Masahiko Shibayama (left) today, discussing economic-development opportunities between Colorado and Japan in fields such as renewable energy, bioscience, technology, air travel and tourism. The meeting took place at the Ministry offices in Tokyo.
TOKYO -- Gov. Bill Ritter today opened a Colorado economic development and trade mission to Asia, meeting in Tokyo with officials from All Nippon Airways, a Japanese vice minister for foreign affairs and U.S. trade and embassy officials.
"Colorado is very focused on building an economy around 21st century, knowledge-based industries of the future," Gov. Ritter told Vice Minister Masahiko Shibayama. "We are making Colorado a regional hub for renewable energy R&D, manufacturing and production, for bioscience advancements and for technology.
"Our state would very much like to strengthen the relationships we already have with Japanese companies and investors and create new opportunities as well," Gov. Ritter said.
Officials with U.S. Commercial Services encouraged Gov. Ritter and the 40 Colorado business leaders taking part in the economic-development mission to continue cultivating existing Colorado-Japan business relations in areas such as agriculture and beef exports, while also recommending that Colorado companies consider pursuing new possibilities in Japan in fields such as environmental clean-up, information technology, medicine and construction.
Gov. Ritter, Denver International Airport Manager Kim Day, Colorado Economic Development Director Don Elliman and others also met today with officials from All Nippon Airways to discuss securing a daily non-stop flight from Denver to Tokyo.
The delegation departed Colorado on Saturday and returns Nov. 25. In addition to Tokyo, delegation members will be visiting Colorado's Japanese sister-state, Yamagata, as well as Beijing and Shanghai.
Japan is Colorado's fourth-largest export market, with 2007 exports to Japan totaling $359 million. Leading 2007 export categories included medical and scientific instruments, up more than 54 percent to $98 million; meat and meat products, up 164 percent to $63 million; and industrial machinery, $55 million.
Click here to read more about the mission.