- Okinawa's Superiority as Exchange Hub Linking Japan and Asia Sent Out to Rest of World -

The Okinawa Prefectural Government and Okinawa Konwa-kai (committee) have held an international trade event as a prelude to the"Okinawa Great Trade Fair"which is to be conducted in set for November 2014 when Okinawa Konwa-kai will welcome its 25th anniversary of its establishment. The preliminary fair, titled the "Pre-Trade Fair Event for the Okinawa Great Trade Fair,"was held on November 14-15, 2013, at the Okinawa Convention Center.

Participating in the trade event were 131 exhibiting companies from within and outside Okinawa Prefecture (71 companies from Okinawa and 61 companies from other places in Japan) and 102 purchasing companies from within and outside Japan (79 overseas companies and 23 domestic companies). A total of 1,822* individual business meetings were held over the two days. In separate trade negotiation booths with about 100 tables, companies actively highlighted their products and services within the limited time available, seriously conducting negotiations to conclude contracts. Many participants voiced positive comments about their impressions. For example, one participant said, "It is a meaningful opportunity where we can build relationships and exchange information with businesses outside the prefecture and overseas."Another participant said, "I will take this opportunity to actively expand my business to Asia."Still another participant said, "I would like to get hold of high-quality Japanese products more easily."

In addition, product exhibitions and tasting booths that visitors could freely look around were set up inside the venue, enabling both exhibiting and purchasing companies to deepen exchanges in a friendly atmosphere.

A total of 1,269 people (including visitors) came to the event over the two days.

*The total number of business meetings, including trade negotiations held freely and meetings between local Okinawan companies, is currently being tallied.

At the opening ceremony that took place on the occasion of business meetings, the representatives of the organizers and guests expressed gratitude and delivered congratulatory messages to trade meeting participants and people concerned.

Delivering a speech on behalf of Okinawa Governor Hirokazu Nakaima, Okinawa Vice Governor Kurayoshi Takara said,"We would like all of you to recognize the attractiveness of Okinawan products as well as the attractiveness and potential of Okinawa as an international logistics hub through the Pre-Trade Fair."

Okinawa Konwa-kai Chairman Kunio Oroku delivered a speech, saying: "Amid global trade that has been developing rapidly, Okinawa Prefecture must try to take on further challenges regarding trade and exchange involving people and goods toward Asian countries."

Masazumi Gotoda, Senior Vice Minister of the Cabinet Office, delivered a speech on behalf of Ichita Yamamoto, Minister of State for Special Missions, saying:"It is a very important opportunity to gather in Okinawa, which is located in the center of Asia, and conduct global business meetings. It is hoped that the Okinawa Great Trade Fair will become a venue to transmit a new form of logistics business to the world."

At a farewell party held on the final day after all the business meetings were finished, Governor Hirokazu Nakaima expressed gratitude to all the people concerned. At the same time, he eagerly expressed his enthusiasm, saying:"We would like to continue making efforts with the Okinawa Prefectural Government and businesses working in unison toward turning next year's Okinawa Great Trade Fair into a successful event."

In the future, we will further strengthen collaboration between the Okinawa Prefectural Government and the business community in Okinawa, further highlight the attractiveness of Okinawan products and tourism, and at the same time utilize the Okinawa International Air Logistics Hub Project to aim at further development not only as a logistics hub but also as a business hub for East Asia.