ACCESS Asia NOW Tri-State Mission to Malaysia and Japan May 19–31, 2007

Tri-State, Far East Talk Trade

The Institute for Global Enterprise in Indiana collaborated with the U.S. Department of Commerce and the U.S. Commercial Service to deliver Access Asia Now: Tri-State Trade Mission to Malaysia and Japan. The 13-day trade mission began May 19, 2007 and served as the centerpiece of Project Tri-State Global Enterprise Asia, a Business and International Education Title VI-B grant earned by the University of Evansville from the U.S. Department of Education.

Malaysia stands out as the largest trade partner of the U.S. among all countries in Southeast Asia and assumed position as the tenth largest trading partner of the U.S. in world-wide listings; bilateral trade reached approximately $44 billion in 2005 estimated figures.

Malaysia is also the tenth largest export market for U.S. manufactured goods and U.S. per capita exports to the country exceed exports to France or Germany.

Japan earned selection as the next stop of the trade mission because of its second highest rated purchasing power and consumption levels in the world – second only to the U.S. It is a country known as the “trendsetter” of Asia and has shown a strong return to a growth-based economy.

Indiana is home to over 220 Japanese-owned investment operations, ranging from corporate giant Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Inc. and its Tier One automotive suppliers to smaller businesses and entrepreneurs.

Additionally, Tochigi City, Japan and Evansville have been connected as Sister Cities since 1999. Incorporating an official Sister City visit provided the trade mission with a unique, personalized opportunity of important cross-cultural exchange– setting this endeavor apart from more traditionally organized trade missions.

The 15-member delegation of Access Asia Now included an impressive cross-section of Tri-State business, community, and academic sectors. City of Evansville Mayor Jonathan Weinzapfel voiced early support of the trade mission during the initial planning phase and ultimately led the delegation along with Dr. Stephen Jennings, President of the University of Evansville.

Ms. Kim Humphrey, Vice President of International Banking – Old National Bank and Mr. Dusan Marinkovic, International Trade Specialist – Indiana  U.S. Commercial Service worked closely with the Institute to design the mission itinerary and also served as trade mission delegates. The mission delivered tailored industry meetings, U.S. Embassy-sponsored networking receptions, host country government briefings, company site visits, and one-on-one meetings customized to each delegate’s interests and needs.

MALAYSIA

The first leg of Access Asia Now consisted of six days in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and highlights included:

Site visit, plant tour, and private meeting with senior management of MM Vita Oils Sdn. Bhd. – a Malaysian palm oil company seeking U.S. distribution outlets; Shown in the photo are mission delegates with the General Manager of MM Vita Oils.

JAPAN

The second leg of Access Asia Now began upon arrival to Japan. Unlike Malaysia where all activities centered in Kuala Lumpur, the schedule for Japan stretched across four different regions (Tochigi, Tokyo, Tahara, and Nagoya) and covered the following:

Overall, Access Asia Now enabled the Tri-State region to lead the way in the exploration of emerging markets in the Far East. The mission achieved its objective by supplying high level exposure to decision-makers regarding international export and reverse investment opportunities within Malaysia, Japan, and the surrounding area. Additional take away value included the intercultural activities that opened up exchanges of dialogue between delegates and each host country’s various representatives. The Institute for Global Enterprise remains optimistic of future developments to unfold as a result of this initiative.

Click here for local media coverage of the mission