Asian opportunities to be found

The jet lag is worth it.
Long-distance travel to Asia takes its toll on the body and brain, but as far as Portland Mayor Bruce Hosier is concerned the potential payoff is worth the pain.
“I think it’s worth a trip to Asia every year,” Hosier said this week. “The Asian market is the door of opportunity.”
Hosier is just back from an 11-day mission to Japan and China with Gov. Mitch Daniels, a contingent of Indiana business leaders, and five other mayors.
Other mayors participating included those from Muncie, Kokomo, Marion, Logansport, and Monticello.
This was Hosier’s third trip to Asia as mayor, following on the heels of trips in 2007 and 2009. The trip was more than 95 percent paid for by private donations, with the city’s promotional budget picking up $500 to $700 of the more than $10,000 expense.
For Hosier, part of the purpose of the trip is to sustain and nurture relationships in Japan that are directly related to employment in Portland.
“I will always make it a point to visit F.C.C. in Hamamatsu City,” he said. “The Portland, Ind., plant is the largest F.C.C. facility in the world.”
Japanese-owned companies employ about 40,000 people in Indiana. There are three Japanese auto assembly plants in the state and numerous parts suppliers such as F.C.C. (Indiana), which makes clutch assemblies.
Beyond Japan, Hosier believes the Indiana trade missions will bear fruit with China.
“A lot of the focus of this year’s trip was on China,” Hosier said.
Four areas of potential economic development had been targeted by the Hoosier group: Automobiles, life sciences, energy, and agriculture.
“There’s high interest in China in those particular sectors,” said Hosier.
Hosier was especially pleased that Dave Lowe of the Solar Ag of Fort Recovery Construction and Equipment in Portland was among the businessmen inthe delegation.
“I had the opportunity to partner with David to build a relationship with a company in China,” he said.
Missions like this, Hosier said, help him to be more effective in the area of economic development.
“I need to understand those dynamics of China and Japan. I can’t just be engaged in local or state issues.” He added, “I think you’re seeing a transformation going on more and more in China. … I could see the level of interest was much higher on this trip than it was in ’09.”
Hosier stressed that he’s not just looking for any jobs.
“We’re looking for valued opportunity, longterm sustainability, investment for success. Example: F.C.C.”
Beyond the Asian connection, Hosier believes participation in these Asian missions has raised the profile of Portland and Jay County not only internationally but also within state government. “I had the privilege to be invited to go,” he said.
And he would not hesitate to go again. “We need to continue to carry that momentum forward and see where it takes us,” he said.[[In-content Ad]]