Governor Perdue Leads Delegation Promoting Business Ties to Japan

ATLANTA – Governor Sonny Perdue will lead a delegation of Georgia business leaders to the 29 th annual Southeast U.S.-Japan Joint Meeting (SEUS-Japan) in Tokyo , October 16-18.  This annual meeting is held to foster the development of business ties between seven southeastern states and Japan .

“These meetings provide companies in the southeast an unparalleled networking opportunity with business and government leaders in Japan ,” said Governor Sonny Perdue.  “We are able to build on our strong relationships and look for opportunities to recruit companies and new jobs to our state.”

The seven member states in the Southeast U.S.-Japan Association are Georgia , Alabama , Florida , North Carolina , South Carolina , Tennessee and Virginia .  The association meets in even-numbered years in the U.S. and in Japan during odd-numbered years.  Atlanta hosted the 28 th joint meeting last year.

Glenn Cornell, former commissioner of the Georgia Department of Economic Development, will serve as co-chair for this year's event, along with Taizo Nishimuro, who currently serves as chairman of the board of the Tokyo Stock Exchange after a career with the Toshiba Corporation.  David Abney, president of UPS International, will address the meeting attendees and speak on the topic of emerging opportunities in a global economy.

Japan is Georgia 's number one international investor and is the second largest market for Georgia exports.  In addition, Japanese companies are increasingly looking to Georgia when expanding their manufacturing capabilities.  In 2004 alone, Toyo Tire announced plans for a tire manufacturing plant and 900 new jobs in White ( Bartow County ), Honda Motor Company announced plans for an automotive transmissions plant and 400 jobs in Tallapoosa ( Haralson County ) and Kubota Manufacturing announced plans for a loader and backhoe manufacturing plant and 100 jobs in Jefferson ( Jackson County ).

The website for the joint meeting is www.seus-japan.org .