Mayor Luttrell, Gov. Haslam, developing Japanese business relationships | Business

(WMC-TV) - County Mayor Mark Luttrell and Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam are visiting Tokyo, Japan this week, exploring new business opportunities for Shelby County as well as the entire state of Tennessee.

The governor and mayor were joined by members of the Greater Memphis Chamber and 60 other state and local business officials.

“It’s been an exciting week,” said Mayor Luttrell.  “We’ve met with the CEOs of Mitsubishi Electric, Mitsubishi Chemical, Brother Industries, Sharp and other businesses. Our goal is to establish new relationships and encourage more companies to locate in our community,” he added.

In 2011, Mitsubishi broke ground on a new transformer manufacturing plant in Memphis, which should create approximately 300 full-time jobs.  The plant will also create opportunities for subcontractors.

The Southeast U.S. - Japan Association has hosted annual trade meetings since 1975, alternating between Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee.
Tennessee is co-hosting the 2012 meeting, which includes leaders from chambers of commerce, businesses, as well as local and state governments.

Governor Haslam and others are leading several of the meetings, which include Chairman of Sumitomo Chemical Company, Hiromasa Yonekura.  Yonekura is also the chairman of Japan’s most powerful business federation, Nippon Keidanren.

Discussions at the meeting include ‘Investing in the Southeastern United States’, and supply chain and infrastructure.

The meeting continues through Saturday.

Information and images provided by shelbycountytn.gov

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