It was the largest attendance for such a seminar by a small or medium country promoting itself in Japan as a potential investment location for foreign investors.
The seminar was sponsored by the FSM government and co-hosted by the Japan External Trade Organization and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization in close coordination with FSM’s embassy in Tokyo Japan.
Adding more history to the occasion, the seminar was addressed by Federated States of Micronesia President Emanuel Mori utilizing Internet videotape relay for the first time.
In his keynote video-recorded statement that was made and relayed from Honolulu, where he was attending another meeting, Mori welcomed the Japan business people and other professionals who attended the seminar and expressed his hope that interested businesses from Japan would consider investing in the Federated States of Micronesia.
The FSM government was represented at the seminar by its ambassador to Japan, the John Fritz, Secretary Peter Christian of the Department of Resources and Development and Valerio Hallens, administrator of the Office of Economic Affairs in Pohnpei.
In his address, Fritz reiterated Mori’s statement on the close ties between Japan and the FSM, citing the two countries’ historical bond, and the strong relationship that has been developed during 20 years of diplomatic relations.
Mori and Fritz both acknowledged FSM’s gratitude to Japan for sending former Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori as special envoy to the islands.
The former prime minister visited the FSM in mid September on the occasion of the anniversary of Japan-FSM diplomatic relations and the installation of the first resident ambassador from Japan to the FSM.
While in Pohnpei, the special envoy also witnessed the exchange of diplomatic notes on the Japanese grant to FSM for the improvement and extension of the Pohnpei International Airport.
In addition to FSM government’s effort to promote foreign investors to consider Micronesia as a safe location for establishing business, MRA, an FSM company, also promoted the FSM as a preferred location for Japanese companies to form and register as FSM corporations, given close proximity to Japan and stable constitutional government as advantages over other domiciles for corporate registry.
Representatives of law firms and public accountants from the United States, Australia, and Japan participated and spoke at the seminar.
A follow-up seminar is planned for mid-November for a more focused group of interested corporations.
