British Ambassador to Japan visits Lancashire

Bosses at Lancashire-based AGC Chemicals Europe will meet the British Ambassador to Japan on Wednesday (17 March, 2010).

David Warren is in the North West to discuss opportunities in both the UK and Japanese markets and will meet with AGCCE’s  CEO, Hiroyuki Okuno, at the company’s Thornton Cleveleys base.

He will be accompanied to the Fylde coast by UKTI North West’s Regional Director, Clive Drinkwater.

Mr Okuno said: “We are delighted that Mr Warren has chosen to visit our site as it will enable us to thank both him and his staff in Japan for their past assistance in enhancing the understanding and relationships between the UK and Japan in general, and our company in particular.

“We are looking forward to the opportunity to brief him on our business in the UK and the particular challenges faced by foreign-owned companies."

Nearly one quarter of the North West’s exports to Japan are in the chemical sector. But Japan is a key export market for other North West industries with opportunities in the aerospace, automotive, biotechnology, creative and food sectors.

During his visit to the region, the Ambassador will also meet with members of the Chemical Industries Association and representatives of companies from across the region that are doing business in the market or keen to do so.

Mr Warren is expected to give an update on how Japan is recovering from the global economic downturn and offer advice on the range of services the British Embassy there can offer.

Japan is the second largest source of foreign direct investment for the North West and is one of the key markets where the Northwest Development Agency has an overseas presence. There are more than 70 Japanese companies, including the likes of Brother, Hitachi, Mitsubishi Corporation, Sony and Fujitsu, based here and they employ nearly 8,000 people in the region.

For further information on UKTI services, contact the North West International Trade Team. Tel: 0845 603 7053, e-mail: info@uktinorthwest.co.uk.