President
Noboru HIga |
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In May 2008 INTEX Osaka, one of Japan’s most advanced and largest international exhibition centers, managed by the Osaka International Business Promotion Center (IBPC), celebrates 23 years of service in the Cosmosquare district of Osaka Nanko.
Over the years, more than 2,100 trade fairs, exhibitions and events have been held there, attracting some 85 million visitors from home and abroad.
INTEX Osaka has played an important role in revitalizing the economy of Osaka, globalizing Osaka businesses and introducing new ideas and technologies to the public.
All these achievements were made possible thanks to strong support from the organizers, exhibitors and visitors of trade fairs and exhibitions. |
The future of Japan’s economy is uncertain, as you know, due to the US economic slowdown triggered by subprime loan problems, and consequent appreciation of the yen against the dollar, stock market declines worldwide and sharp rise in crude oil prices.
To revitalize the economy of Osaka under these circumstances, it is essential to hold many exhibitions and trade fairs and to further promote the globalization of businesses.
In this context, the role of IBPC has become increasingly important.
During fiscal 2007, from April 2007 to March 2008, INTEX Osaka served as venue for a total of 125 trade fairs and exhibitions.
The number of these events has increased every year for the last five years.
Major events included “Barrier Free 2007,” a comprehensive welfare exhibition; “A-PACK 2007 Osaka,” a package material exhibition; “PLATEX Osaka 2007,” a comprehensive exhibition of plastic technology; “The 5th Osaka Motor Show,” a biennial exhibition, and “COUNTDOWN JAPAN 07/08 -WEST-,” a year-end rock concert. |
Meanwhile the International Division, another important pillar of IBPC, has actively promoted its service following the establishment of two centers five years ago: the IBPC Osaka Network Center and the IBPC Osaka Investment Promotion Center.
The IBPC Osaka Network Center is involved in the continuing projects of the World Trade Center and Business Partner City.
This center also supplies consulting services on trade and investment, and overseas economic information by various means such as seminars regarding China and other Asian countries, in order to help small and midsize businesses in Osaka advance overseas and thereby contribute to the globalization of Osaka’s economy.
In fiscal 2007, this Center also began promoting economic exchange through its overseas representative offices.
The IBPC Osaka Investment Promotion Center encourages investment in Osaka by domestic and foreign enterprises, in addition to offering support to such investors, in cooperation with Osaka City and Prefectural governments, the Osaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Kansai Economic Federation and other related business organizations. |
We will continue developing the activities of INTEX Osaka and the International Division, and contributing to the revitalization and strengthening of Osaka’s economy by supporting business expansion overseas and industrial partnership.
Finally, we would like to express our deep appreciation for the support we have received in the past, and our hope for further assistance and cooperation in the future. |
April 2008 |
Noboru Higa
President,
OsakaInternationalBusinessPromotionCenter |
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