A Luncheon Briefing

The Kansai region of Japan is centered around the cities of Osaka, Kyoto, Kobe and Nara. Its large population of 21 million represents 19 percent of Japan's total population. The region accounts for 20 percent of Japan's total economic output. Its total exports account for over 21 percent of the country's total, and its imports equal 22 percent of the total. The Kansai region has the seventh largest gross domestic product (GDP) in the world. Nearly 65 percent of Kansai's imports are manufactured goods, the largest share being textiles, followed by food, machinery, and chemicals. The Kansai region is considered Japan's business and entrepreneurial hub.

About Jerry Cartwright

Mr. Jerry Cartwright, the State Director for the Florida Small Business Development Center Network, represents the USA*JAPAN Trade Expansion Center (JTEC) and has been in economic development and international trade initiatives for over 16 years. Mr. Cartwright created the JTEC program in 1990 in conjunction with partners from the Osaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry and representatives of Japan's Ministry of International Trade and Industry. Since October 1992, Mr. Cartwright has led the JTEC Export Mission delegation to attend the Global Business Opportunities Convention in Osaka, Japan.

Mr. Cartrwright is also an active member of the Florida District Export Council and is a member of the Florida Chamber of Commerce's International Business Issues Committee and Enterprise Florida's International Advisory Committee. Mr. Cartwright has built successful international partnerships modeled after JTEC in Merida, Yucatan and Argentina.

About Susumu "Sam" Wada

Mr. Susumu "Sam" Wada is the Senior Trade Advisor for the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) based in Baton Rouge. He has worked for the past 22 years for Mitsui & Co., Ltd. in Japan and the United States. Mitsui & Company is one of the largest trading companies in Japan with $140 billion in annual trading transactions and has 220 offices in 90 countries. Mitsui handles products ranging from noodles to satellites. Mr. Wada is a graduate of Tokyo University.

In Cooperation With

Ark-La-Tex Regional Export & Technology Center

Baton Rouge Center for World Affairs

City of New Orleans, Office of International Trade

Consular Corps of New Orleans

New Orleans U.S. Export Assistance Center

Louisiana International Trade Center/SBDC

Louisiana International Trade Commission

 Registration Fee: $22 for members of the sponsoring organizations and $27 for non-members.