Governor Patrick Announces Trade Mission to Asia The Official Website of the Governor of Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick Home Press Office Press Releases Governor Patrick Announces Trade Mission to Asia DEVAL PATRICK GOVERNOR Media Contact Heather Johnson Bonnie McGilpin Juli Hanscom 617-725-4025 For Immediate Release - November 15, 2013 Governor Patrick Announces Trade Mission to Asia to Pursue Growth and Economic Opportunity BOSTON – Friday, November 15, 2013 – Governor Deval Patrick today announced he will lead a coalition of the Commonwealth’s government and industry leaders on a Massachusetts – Asia Innovation Partnership Mission to strengthen the state’s partnerships with Japan, Hong Kong and Singapore, and expand opportunities between the Commonwealth and this region for economic development and job creation in the cleantech, innovation, life sciences, financial services and transportation sectors. From December 7-17, 2013, the Innovation Economy Mission will make stops in Kyoto and Tokyo in Japan, as well as Singapore and Hong Kong, where the Governor and members of the delegation will visit companies in the innovation sector, speak with various business organizations and associations, and meet with top business and government leaders to highlight all that Massachusetts has to offer. These visits and meetings will focus on expanding opportunities for job creation in the life sciences, IT, water technology, clean energy and transportation sectors and solidifying the growing connection between Massachusetts, Japan, Singapore and Hong Kong. “In order for Massachusetts to create lasting growth and opportunity for our residents, http://www.mass.gov/governor/pressoffice/pressreleases/2013/governor-patrick-announces-trade-mission-to-asia.html[11/18/2013 4:23:24 PM] Governor Patrick Announces Trade Mission to Asia we must compete for jobs on the global playing field,” said Governor Patrick. “This mission offers us a tremendous opportunity to strengthen our relationships with Asia’s fastest growing economies.” During the course of the mission, the Governor and delegation members will meet with top Asian government officials and business leaders, as well as their American counterparts. The Governor will also participate in a series of sessions focused on the Commonwealth’s innovation economy sectors, as well as the financial services and entrepreneurship sectors. Governor Patrick will also visit with top transportation leaders in Japan and throughout Asia to learn more about new global technologies being pursued in transportation and how some of those technologies may be applied in Massachusetts. "I hope that Governor Patrick's visit to Japan will substantively enhance the relationship between Massachusetts and Japan as both sides strive to promote innovation and growth in the 21st century," said Akira Muto, Consul General of Japan in Boston. Governor Patrick and the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative will also convene Japanese industry and policy leaders in health information technology in Tokyo to discuss collaborations and partnerships between the emerging health IT industry sectors in each region and public policies spurring health technology adoption in each region. The Governor and members of the delegation will also visit the Future Urban Mobility Project in Singapore, a partnership with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology which develops innovative pilot projects using big data analytics to address urban transportation challenges. “This mission provides us with the opportunity to share Massachusetts’ thriving entrepreneurship culture and leading technology sectors with business and policy leaders across Asia, while helping to open new markets for technologies made in the Commonwealth,” said Pamela Goldberg, CEO of the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative. “We are excited about the opportunity to foster connections across key emerging technology sub-sectors, including Big Data and eHealth.” The Massachusetts-Asia Connection: In 2012, Japan had the world’s third largest gross domestic product (GDP) and was the third largest export partner to Massachusetts, with the Commonwealth exporting approximately $2 billion worth of goods and services to Japan. In 2012, Japan was also the Commonwealth’s 7th largest import partner, with Massachusetts importing approximately $926.21 million worth of Japanese goods and services. According to the Japanese Consulate, over 130 Japanese companies support over 10,000 jobs in Massachusetts and approximately 13,000 Japanese nationals make their home in Massachusetts. Last year, Governor Patrick and the Massachusetts Port Authority announced the first non-stop flight linking Boston and Japan via Japan Airlines (JAL), which the Governor will fly to Japan. Since the commencement of service, the flight has grown in popularity and continues to deepen the connections between the Commonwealth and Japan. The Massachusetts Life Sciences Center (MLSC) maintains a strong relationship with Japanese companies and government officials in an effort to build a strong foundation for collaboration between the two entities. In October 2012 and 2013, the MLSC participated in BIOJapan and last year, MLSC staff joined the Massachusetts Office of International Trade and Investment (MOITI) for a visit with Yuji Kuroiwa, the Governor http://www.mass.gov/governor/pressoffice/pressreleases/2013/governor-patrick-announces-trade-mission-to-asia.html[11/18/2013 4:23:24 PM] Governor Patrick Announces Trade Mission to Asia of Kanagawa Prefecture to discuss the life sciences sector in Kanagawa, an area similar to Massachusetts in the life sciences industry development. While Massachusetts companies have long had a successful commercial presence in Japan, which is an important market for sophisticated medical advances, the Commonwealth has recently emerged as a favored destination for Japanese life sciences companies looking to enter the U.S. market. Japanese life sciences companies that have opened offices in Massachusetts in the last two years include Reprocell, Scivax and HMT. In addition, the MLSC has worked closely with Dainippon Sumitomo Pharmaceuticals, Takeda, Sony DADC and Fuji Pharmaceuticals, which are creating an expanded presence in Massachusetts. "Over the past several years Japanese life sciences companies large and small have been investing, locating and expanding in Massachusetts, thanks to the investments we've made in our life sciences ecosystem, and the growing relationship between our regions. This trend has really accelerated since JAL began its direct flight between Boston and Tokyo," said Susan Windham-Bannister, Ph.D., President & CEO of the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center. “The Governor's trade mission will provide a great opportunity to develop relationships with Japanese companies that are beginning to look at Massachusetts and deepen the relationship with companies that have established a presence here.” "I hope that Governor Patrick's visit to Japan will substantively enhance the relationship between Massachusetts and Japan as both sides strive to promote innovation and growth in the 21st century," said Akira Muto, Consul General of Japan in Boston. Governor Patrick and the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative will also convene Japanese industry and policy leaders in health information technology in Tokyo to discuss collaborations and partnerships between the emerging health IT industry sectors in each region and public policies spurring health technology adoption in each region. The Governor and members of the delegation will also visit the Future Urban Mobility Project in Singapore, a partnership with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology which develops innovative pilot projects using big data analytics to address urban transportation challenges. “This mission provides us with the opportunity to share Massachusetts’ thriving entrepreneurship culture and leading technology sectors with business and policy leaders across Asia, while helping to open new markets for technologies made in the Commonwealth,” said Pamela Goldberg, CEO of the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative. “We are excited about the opportunity to foster connections across key emerging technology sub-sectors, including Big Data and eHealth.” The Massachusetts-Asia Connection: In 2012, Japan had the world’s third largest gross domestic product (GDP) and was the third largest export partner to Massachusetts, with the Commonwealth exporting approximately $2 billion worth of goods and services to Japan. In 2012, Japan was also the Commonwealth’s 7th largest import partner, with Massachusetts importing approximately $926.21 million worth of Japanese goods and services. According to the Japanese Consulate, over 130 Japanese companies support over 10,000 jobs in Massachusetts and approximately 13,000 Japanese nationals make their home in Massachusetts. Last year, Governor Patrick and the Massachusetts Port Authority announced the first non-stop flight linking Boston and Japan via Japan Airlines (JAL), http://www.mass.gov/governor/pressoffice/pressreleases/2013/governor-patrick-announces-trade-mission-to-asia.html[11/18/2013 4:23:24 PM] Governor Patrick Announces Trade Mission to Asia which the Governor will fly to Japan. Since the commencement of service, the flight has grown in popularity and continues to deepen the connections between the Commonwealth and Japan. The Massachusetts Life Sciences Center (MLSC) maintains a strong relationship with Japanese companies and government officials in an effort to