JETRO Topics

Conclusion of MOU with Sichuan Provincial People's Government

August 2017

On August 1, JETRO Chairman and CEO Hiroyuki Ishige had a meeting with Governor Yin Li of the Sichuan Provincial People's Government in the city of Chengdu, China.
Regarding joint activities between the Sichuan Provincial People's Government and JETRO for “eco-friendly economic growth based on innovation" promoted by Sichuan Province and the "Five Happy Industries"* advocated by the Chinese government, Chairman Ishige made the following proposals in the meeting:

  1. Development of service industries including restaurants and food
  2. Reinforcement of collaboration in the nursing and healthcare fields
  3. Facilitation of business matching for auto-related companies
  4. Promotion of exchange between companies in the two countries, and expansion of two-way investment

Chairman Ishige delivered a message to Governor Yin from Japanese companies in the province that they are eager for the local government to further disseminate information on the investment environment and attractiveness of the region toward Japan, and he stressed the importance of strengthening relations between the province and Japan.
Expressing his approval of the four proposed activities, Governor Yin stated his willingness to use them to develop the region's economy with understanding that the potential of economic cooperation between the region and Japan is indispensable for mutual development.

* The five fields of tourism, culture, sports, health and elderly care which are critical to the well-being and happiness of citizens. They were designated as growth industries for an era in which great value is placed on the improvement of quality of life.

After the meeting, Governor Yin and Chairman Ishige signed the renewal of an MOU for cooperation between the Sichuan Provincial People's Government and JETRO. JETRO has been strengthening cooperative relations with the local government toward expanding trade and investment since the first conclusion of the MOU in May 2012, which was renewed two years later in July 2014.

JETRO will take full advantage of the renewed MOU to more closely work together with Sichuan toward the continued economic and industrial growth of both the province and Japan.

The following main activities have been agreed upon through the MOU:

  • Strengthening of exchange and cooperation in the service field including retail and logistics, medical care and welfare, and tourism
  • Promotion of two-way investment exchange
  • Collaboration in environmental protection, energy conservation, reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and adoption of renewable energy in order to realize a low-carbon society and recycling economy in Sichuan Province
  • Promoting the introduction of consumer products and agricultural, forestry, fishery and food products into each market
  • Promotion of cooperation in the field of the intellectual property rights, which is important for economic growth based on innovation