Governor Doyle Leads Trade Mission to Japan, China

For Immediate Release: September 10, 2009
Contact: Tony Hozeny, Department of Commerce, 608-267-9661
Carla Vigue, Office of the Governor, 608-261-2162

MADISON - Governor Jim Doyle is leading a trade mission to Japan and China from September 13-22, 2009. The trade mission will provide participants with opportunities to meet with distributors, potential customers, and key business and government officials. The Governor will also promote investment by Japanese and Chinese companies in Wisconsin.

"This trade mission will help raise Wisconsin's visibility in these important markets and provide an opportunity for our state's businesses to learn about opportunities and forge relationships that could lead to future sales," Governor Doyle said. "Japan and China are among Wisconsin's most important export markets. On the mission, businesses will gain firsthand knowledge of these markets and develop sound export strategies."

In 2008, Japan ranked as Wisconsin's fifth-largest customer, with exports totaling $724.4 million, a 10.6-percent increase over 2007.

In 2008, China was Wisconsin's third-largest customer, with exports totaling $1.2 billion, a 4.4-percent increase over 2007.

Highlights of the Governor's trade mission schedule include:

Sunday, September 13, 2009 - Tokyo, Japan

• Meeting with Governor Kensaku Morita of Chiba Prefecture, Wisconsin's sister-state

Monday, September 14, 2009 - Tokyo, Japan

• Meeting with Akihiko Kumagai, President & CEO of GE Healthcare Asia/Pacific
• Speaking at and attending the 41st Annual Joint Meeting of the Midwest U.S.-Japan and Japan-Midwest U.S. Associations. The theme is "Japan - Midwest U.S.: Challenges and Changes in an Expanding Global Economy."
• Meeting with Nobuhiro Murakami, CEO of Mecaro Co., Ltd., which makes wind turbines, and Masanori Kazamaki, Vice President of Hitachi High Technologies Corporation, which will market the turbines

Tuesday, September 15, 2009 - Tokyo, Japan

• Meeting with Katsuaki Watanabe, Vice Chairman of the Toyota Motor Corporation
• Speaking at ceremony at Edogawa Hospital to celebrate the installation of one of the world's most advanced and versatile radiation therapy systems which was designed by TomoTherapy, a Madison-based medical device company.
• Meeting with Yasuharu Igarashi, Corporate Senior Vice President & President of Toshiba Power Systems Company
• Meeting with Noritaka Uji, Co-CEO of NTT, Japan's largest telecommunications company
• Speaking at and attending a dinner for Wisconsin and Japanese businesses hosted by Yuzaburo Mogi, President and CEO of the Kikkoman Corporation

Wednesday, September 16, 2009 - Harbin, China

• Announce and attend the signing of a long-term agreement between Wisconsin-based Cooperative Resources International (CRI) and Flying Crane Dairy, a large dairy producer and processor in China. CRI, of Shawano, is a leader in the field of dairy and beef genetics. Flying Crane Dairy is one of China's leading producers and distributors of premium infant formula and milk powder.
• Speak at and attend an evening dinner hosted by Lt. Governor Du Jiahao and the Heilongjiang Province Government

Thursday, September 10, 2009 - Harbin, China and Beijing, China

• Walking tour of historical district of Harbin in the Heilongjiang Province, Wisconsin's sister-state
• Meeting with U.S. Ambassador Jon Huntsman

Friday, September 11, 2009 - Beijing, China

• Meeting with Vice Minister Ma at the Ministry of Commerce
• Meeting with the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade
• Meeting with the Ministry of Science and Technologies
• Meeting with prospective Chinese investors
• Presiding over contract signing between U-Fuel, Eau Claire, and Petro China
• Speaking at a seminar for Wisconsin delegation and Chinese investors, businesses, and government officials. The theme is "Introducing Wisconsin: Business Strategies and Opportunities."
• Dinner with Director General Jiao Zhiyan, Ministry of the Environment

Saturday, September 19, 2009 - Beijing, China

• Meeting with Governor Li Zhanshu and signing renewal of Heilongjiang-Wisconsin Sister-State agreement

Sunday, September 20, 2009 - Xi'an, China

• Dinner with Xi'an Government officials

Monday, September 21, 2009 - Shanghai, China

• Meeting with Sun Chao, Minhang District Party Secretary, and touring a new transportation hub.
• Speak at and attend a reception hosted by the UW-Alumni Association Shanghai Chapter

Tuesday, September 22, 2009 - Shanghai, China

• Meeting with Mayor Han Zheng of Shanghai and touring the site of Expo 2010 - World's Fair at Shanghai

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