'Globinar' highlights foreign direct investment from Japan
A group of influential Arizona leaders recently extolled the virtues and value of direct foreign investment in Arizona for Japanese companies during a webinar sponsored by Global Chamber and the Consulate General of Japan.
Heavy hitters included both U.S. Senators from Arizona Mark Kelly and Kyrsten Sinema, Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego, representatives from the Arizona Commerce Authority and Greater Phoenix Economic Council, among others. Participating Japanese firms included MUFG Union Bank, IRIS USA and Yokogawa Electric.
In addition to becoming acquainted, the group discussed the role and purpose of foreign direct investment, business opportunities across Arizona, the business proposition of investment in Metro Phoenix, business activities of Japanese companies in Arizona and a Q&A session. Global Chamber CEO Doug Bruhnke moderated the event.
Presenters and panelists included Kelly Moeur, Honorary Consul for Japan in Arizona; Consul General Akira Muto; Sanjeev Khagram, Director General and Dean at Thunderbird School of Global Management at Arizona State University; Senators Kelly and Sinema; Sandra Watson, President and CEO at Arizona Commerce Authority; Mayor Gallego; GPEC President and CEO Chris Camacho; GPEC senior vice president of strategy Stephane Frijia; Yuichi Mitsumori, head of Japanese corporate banking, West region, MUFG Union Bank, N.A.; President of IRIS USA Kiroyuki Takahashi with company vice president Ryan Anderson; and Dr. Yasuhiro Matsui, research and development project manager at Yokogawa Electric.