Business development activities scheduled in Japan, South Korea, Taiwan & Hong Kong
Richmond - Governor Jim Gilmore will depart Richmond Saturday, June 3, and travel to East Asia through June 14 for a series of business development meetings with key corporate leaders in Japan, South Korea, Taiwan and Hong Kong. The climax of the trip will take place when Governor Gilmore delivers Virginia's emerging technology leadership message to delegates at the 2000 World Congress on Information Technology in Taipei. Secretary of Commerce and Trade Barry E. DuVal will assist the Governor during the mission. Secretary of Transportation Shirley Ybarra and Secretary of Technology Donald Upson will also accompany the Governor during parts of the trip.
"I am excited to travel to Asia to promote Virginia as an ideal business location and increase interest in Virginia exports," Governor Gilmore said. "We will also stake our claim that Virginia is a world leader in information technology."
Events and prospect meetings in Japan, South Korea, Taiwan and Hong Kong will promote inward investment, open new markets for Virginia products and services, and encourage activity for Virginia's ports. In addition to confidential business prospect meetings, the Governor will participate in the following select events during the mission:
Tokyo, Japan
Meeting with Mr. Naohiko Kumagai, Chairman of Mitsui and Company Ltd. and Chairman of the Japan-U.S. Southeast Association. Virginia will host the 2000 Southeast U.S.-Japan Joint Meeting this October in Norfolk.
Luncheon address/press conference at the Foreign Correspondents' Club of Japan
Governor's reception for Japanese business leaders at the Imperial Hotel
Meeting with Mr. Yoshihiko Saeki, President of the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO)
Seoul, Korea
Luncheon address at meeting of Korea-United States Economic Council at the Korea Trade Tower Club
Governor's reception for Korean business leaders at Grand InterContinental
Seoul
Meeting with Minister Byung-Yub Ahn, Korean Minister of Information and Communication
Taipei, Taiwan
Virginia reception for technology leaders at the 2000 World Congress on Information Technology
Address to plenary session at 2000 World Congress on Information Technology. Keynote speakers at the Congress include Microsoft Corporation Chairman Bill Gates and Cisco Systems President and CEO John Chambers. The Commonwealth hosted the last World Congress in Fairfax County in June 1998.
Hong Kong
Meeting with Mr. Tung Chee-Hwa, Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
"The Governor's strong commitment to economic development and international trade is evident by his desire to lead this mission to Japan, South Korea, Taiwan and Hong Kong - all key markets to Virginia's economy," Secretary DuVal said. "Having the Governor participate in face-to-face meetings with business prospects is a definite advantage for Virginia in the competitive economic development business."
Virginia exported $2.4 billion in products to Japan, Korea, Taiwan and Hong Kong in 1999. Collectively, Japan, Korea, Taiwan and Hong Kong have invested over $4.3 billion in Virginia facilities, employing over 12,000 people.