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Issue 2         [May 2006] 
                             OCCI e-Magazine
                http://www.osaka.cci.or.jp/e/index.html
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[CONTENTS, May 2006]

1. Luncheon in honor of President Barroso, European Commisson 

2. Report of OCCI Mission to BIO 2006  [Chicago, U.S.A.] 

3. Global Venture Forum (GVF06-BIO) accepting applications

4. Re."Midnight Check-in system" 
                  promoted by 'Osaka Nightlife Culture' project

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1. Luncheon in honor of President Barroso of European Commission: 

Together with the Kansai Business Federation and Kobe and Kyoto
Chambers of Commerce and Industry, OCCI cosponsored the Luncheon for 
EC President Mr. Jose Manuel Barroso and other EU delegates 
on April 22nd 2006, providing a precious opportunity for a close, 
high-level interaction between EU and Kansai, with an exchange of views
focusing on; further strengthening of relations between the two regions,
economic relations with China, outlook on WTO and its activities, etc. 

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2. Report of OCCI Mission to BIO 2006　[Chicago, U.S.A.]

In co-sponsorship with the U.S. Embassy (Tokyo), OCCI sent to
Chicago "Mission to BIO 2006" (April 10-16) coinciding with this 
largest bio-related event of the world.  The Mission on this visit made 
most useful contacts with the Argonne National Laboratory, the most
prestigious research institute of the U.S., the Northwestern University 
and a number of other institutes in the private sector.

With multifunction programs including exhibitions, symposiums 
and partnering, the annual events of ‘BIO’ (as the world's largest 
of its kind) attract about 20,000 participants from around the world 
every year and various displays are exhibited at more than 1,000 booths 
set up.  BIO dispatches the latest bio-related information for all 
concerned to grasp the trends or progress of enterprises and bio-leaders 
of the world.

Taking this opportunity, Osaka Business and Investment Center 
(O-BIC: http://o-bic.net/ ) conducted a breakfast meeting, with 120 
persons of numerous BIO 2006 participants attending, introducing great
business opportunities in the Osaka/Kansai region to invite them to 
join the Osaka/Kansai market.

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3. Global Venture Forum (GVF06-BIO)

We are now accepting applications for "GVF06-BIO", an OCCI-organized 
event for international hi-tech business meetings and partnering to be 
held in Osaka on September 13-14 2006.  We invite you to take full 
advantage of GVF06-BIO to expand your business networks through the 
opportunities offered for partnerships, joint development or fund-raising.

- Date: September 13th (Wed) -14th (Thu), 2006

- Venue:  Osaka International Convention Center

- Main Program: 
　1) Individual Business Meetings (pre-arranged by GVF Secretariat)
　2) Presentations of Business Plans (20min, each company)

- Target Participants:
  Technology-based start-up companies in the field of　Biotechnology

- Application Deadline: June 9th (Fri) 2006

* For more details: http://www.gvf.ne.jp/

* Contact: OCCI The GVF Secretariat
(Economy & Industry Division, Promotion Office for Venture Business, OCCI)
  Tel: +81-6-6944-6403　　
  Fax: +81-6-6944-6249　　
  E-mail: gvf@osaka.cci.or.jp  

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4. 'Osaka Nightlife Culture' project 
            promoting "Midnight Check-in system"

OCCI has been promoting a project‘Osaka Nightlife Culture’to make 
Osaka an attractive city with nightlife of rich, delightful and cultural
qualities for both city residents and visitors from overseas and Japan.

[Midnight Check-in system]

Under such project and as one of its activities, we have been moving 
ahead with a wider spread of "Midnight Check-in system", to improve
accommodation 'infrastructure' and working ratios of hotels in Osaka.  
Now 75 main hotels in Osaka provide discounts for the night 
after 11:00 p.m., of 43 percent of normal rates on average and even of 
82 percent in maximum cases.

 
- Phase 1: December 12, 2005-March 31, 2006
  Achieved sales of 18,810,000 yen with 3,256 guests using 2,536 rooms 
  at 40 hotels.

- Phase 2: April 1, 2006-August 31, 2006 (currently ongoing)

* To take advantage of the Midnight Check-in system, you directly 
  contact the hotel’s reservationist during its working hours to make 
  a reservation with a mention of ‘One under the Midnight Check-in 
  system of Osaka Nightlife Culture’

* For details on each hotel's reservationist's working hours and
  accommodation charges;
        http://www.osaka-nightculture.com/pdf/echeckin.pdf

* Contact: OCCI Regional Development Division
  Tel: +81-6-6944-6323　 
  Fax: +81-6-6944-6330 　
  E-mail: chishin@osaka.cci.or.jp


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