************************************************************************* Issue 24 [June 2008] OCCI e-Magazine http://www.osaka.cci.or.jp/e/index.html ************************************************************************* [CONTENTS, June 2008] 1. 'Osaka Business & Investment Center' (O-BIC) announces its best record of success in inviting foreign companies 2. 'Osaka Summit with Kansai Consuls General' commemorating the G8 Finance Ministers Meeting 2008 in Osaka ---in shaping clear-cut 'brand' of Osaka expecting increased visitors from overseas 3. Osaka / Kansai project; 'Osaka Station North District' as a center to redevelop into a "Knowledge Capital" 4. Interview with Mr. Davide Giglio, Consul-General of Italy 5. OCCI International Division report on VIP visitors ========================================================================= 1. 'Osaka Business & Investment Center' (O-BIC) announces its best record in inviting foreign companies Osaka Business & Investment Center ('O-BIC' operated by OCCI with the cooperation of Osaka Prefecture and Osaka City) has recently announced the number of foreign companies successfully invited to Osaka during FY 2007 (from April 2007 to March 2008) to be 36, so far the highest annual record, making the total of 7 years since the inception 169 cases altogether. In the breakdown, those from Asia occupy half of the year's total, but European and American companies follow closely by taking up 47% of FY 2007. The top 3 country-wise are; China with 8 cases, the U.S. with 6 and India with 4; in the lines of business, IT / bio / research and development areas account for 16 cases at the top, followed by 11 cases of imports / sales/ development of markets. 'item Industrietechnik GmbH' (relocating from Tokyo) is a major German maker of aluminum precision-made components / materials scheduled to start operations in coming July based in its first plant in Japan built in the industrial park in Izumi City. With results of actual business done with Japanese manufacturers of machinery including industrial robots etc., 'item Japan' aims to expand its business by conducting all of processing / assembly and sales in Japan. Chinese Central Audio & Video Group Co., Ltd (CCAV Group) has chosen Osaka as the location of their very first overseas base. For this multimedia company of China, the choice of Osaka is not only for the fact that many of their existing customers are based in western Japan, but also for considering the access to the head office in Hangzhou and for convenience on the distribution side, as well as for the similarity to China in the bright and active atmosphere, and also for another fact that the President of CCAV Group is a graduate of Kyoto University who feels quite fondly of Kansai. They announced their aim to further strengthen business with Japan in contents-related transactions and imports / sales of CDs and DVDs. O-BIC is a one-stop-service-unit that supports foreign companies, free of charge, for their entry into the Osaka market. * O-BIC http://o-bic.net/ ======================================================================== 2. 'Osaka Summit with Kansai Consuls General' commemorating the G8 Finance Ministers Meeting 2008 in Osaka ---in shaping clear-cut 'brand' of Osaka expecting increased visitors from overseas Prior to the G8 Finance Ministers Meeting 2008 in Osaka, the Osaka Promotion Committee (with Governor Hashimoto as chairman) conducted a meeting for an exchange of views, on June 3, bringing together the Kansai-based Consuls General and representatives of regional governments and economic organizations, looking toward more attractive Osaka for the future. Participants included 21 Consuls General of the Kansai Consular Corps with the Thai Consul General (Mr. Supote Isarankura Na Ayudhya) as the current Dean, and from Osaka, Governor Hashimoto of Osaka Prefecture, Mayor Hiramatsu of Osaka City, Chairman Shimozuma of Kansai Economic Federation and Vice Chairman Kato of OCCI. After the opening address by Mayor Hiramatsu, the meeting chaired by Governor Hashimoto was successfully held with active discussions on more investments to be induced or more tourists and visitors to be invited, and also on the lack of Osaka's 'brand image', as well as with a suggestion for Osaka to promote itself as a "food capital". In relation to the matter of inviting more companies from abroad, many Consuls General seemed aware of Osaka's SMEs (small and medium enterprises) with unique technologies and expertise as worthy partners, but it was also pointed out that improvements should be made in many aspects particularly for the promotional or campaign activities. In concluding, Governor Hashimoto asked for continuing support of the Consuls General to our public and private sectors' efforts to enhance the attractiveness of Osaka as a major city. ======================================================================== 3. Osaka / Kansai project; 'Osaka Station North District' as a center to redevelop into a "Knowledge Capital" Among all the city redevelopment projects of Osaka / Kansai, the one at the Osaka Station North District is gaining the most attention from both within Japan and overseas. With an area of 24 hectares adjacent to the largest railway terminal of western Japan accommodating daily 2.5 million passengers, the North District is the only 'excellent land' left in the heart of the city, and it is expected to be a new base to lead revitalization of Osaka / Kansai. The plan being made for the North District is not for a conventional city redevelopment of offices and commercial facilities, but for realization under a main theme of 'Knowledge Capital' with concentration of our intellectual pursuits-related companies and research institutes to 'pull' (as a tractor) Kansai's next-generation industries. 'Knowledge Capital' is an entirely new type of collaboration center to present to consumers, new products and services for the 21st century's future lifestyles, living environments, healthcare, tourism and culture generally, all on the basis of the latest advanced technologies including robotics, IT etc. with all the most advanced high-techs of Kansai's companies / universities / research institutes converged and harmonized in the favorably located city heartland. With demonstrative experiments of robots, displays to experience future lifestyles, world-class academic events etc. going on all the time, all concerned with this project are aiming to eventually make the Osaka Center North District a new base to create new ideas and new products. The precedential-development area (7 hectares) of the North District comprehending the Knowledge Capital is scheduled to be opened as a town in the spring of 2011. We will keep you informed, from time to time, of the project's progress. * Office of Urban Revitalization and Promotion, City of Osaka http://www.osaka-saisei.jp/eng/ ======================================================================== 4DInterview with Mr. Davide Giglio, Consul-General of Italy Through some written questions, with the Osaka/Kansai-based representatives of Consulates-General/Consulates, foreign companies or other offices to find out their constructive views on issues concerned with the Osaka/Kansai region. With Mr. Davide Giglio permission, OCCI e-Magazine is pleased to present his views: 1) How long is it since you assumed the current office in Osaka/ Kansai? I have been in Kansai for about 7 months now. It has been so far an eventful and smooth ride thanks to the goodwill of all those I have been in contact with. I had been forewarned that people in Osaka are warm and friendly and my experience up to date has proved that this is indeed the case. 2) What are the merits and demerits or your expectations concerning Osakafs business environment? Osaka has a notable entrepreneurial tradition which can positively compare with the Italian one particularly as far as SMEs are concerned. This can provide a favorable framework for an expansion of B2B activities. However, it is now mostly in the R&D sector where Italy is looking for mutually satisfying partnerships. We have a challenge here as in Japan there is an established perception of Italy as the country of the arts and less as the country of scientific advancement. We have been successfully working to update this perception and have found, particularly in Kansai, a renewed attention to what Italy can offer even in the cutting-edge sectors of the new technologies. 3) What are your expectations for the OCCI e-Magazine? Italian business is eager to tap into the trade and investment opportunities offered by Kansai. There is a desire to branch out from established positions in Kanto. So any source of information in English that can provide timely and reliable information about the local business environment is useful and therefore welcome. 4) What are the most impressive happenings or events that you experienced whether in private or public capacity during your stay in Osaka/ Kansai? I cannot think of any specific event but it is rather my daily overall experience in Japan that has so far lived up to my expectations. The coming G8 in Kansai should provide some interesting moments. ======================================================================== 5. OCCI International Division report on VIP visitors * June 7 (Sat) Dr. Abdullah GUL, President Republic of Turkey Mr. KUrsad TUZMEN, Minister of State Republic of Turkey Mr. Mehmet SIMSEK, Minister of State Republic of Turkey Mr. Rifat Hisarciklioglu, Chairman Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey ========================================================================