Asia Economic-Development Mission
Asia Economic-Development Mission -- November 2008
American Chamber of Commerce: Gov. Ritter addresses about 100 U.S. business and investment leaders at an American Chamber of Commerce event in Shanghai on Monday.
Energy and Bioscience Presentation: Gov. Ritter delivers opening remarks to an audience at Fudan University in Shanghai, where Colorado business and research leaders highlighted innovations in Colorado's New Energy Economy and bioscience sectors.
CSU & East China Normal University: Gov. Ritter signs a Strategic Memorandum of Understanding between Colorado State University and East China Normal University to collaborate on research and conduct faculty and student exchanges. At left, East China Normal University President Yu Lizhong. At right, interim CSU President Tony Frank.
Shanghai Vice Mayor: Gov. Ritter and Michael Driver of the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade share a laugh with Shanghai Vice Mayor Tang Deng Jie.
China Trade Council: Gov. Ritter visits with FuRong Cen, chairman of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade office in Shanghai.
Denver-Beijing Chambers Sign Agreement: Joe Blake, president and CEO of the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce, signs a cooperative agreement with the Beijing Chamber of Commerce aimed at increasing business relationships and opportunities between the two organizations and their member businesses. At left, Beijing Chamber Vice Chairman Ni Yuegang.
Colorado Companies Invest in Asian Wireless Company: Gov. Ritter poses with top executives from two Colorado companies after they signed a business agreement to invest in Beijing Civil Aviation Sinosky, a Chinese company that provides wireless technology services to airports throughout China. The Colorado companies are Shan Atira Asia Ventures of Denver and Top of Asia of Englewood. Far left, managing principal Steve Bachar of Shan Atira, and far right, Ed Odenwalder, president, Top of Asia.
Ministry of Commerce: Gov. Ritter and Joe Blake, president and CEO of the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce, meet with officials from the Chinese Ministry of Commerce, including Assistant Minister Wang Chao. As a result of the meeting, Colorado and China will explore whether to enter an Investment Promotion Agreement designed to enhance business opportunities in Colorado and China.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Gov. Ritter meets with Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs He Yafei. They discussed Colorado's New Energy Economy and bioscience sectors.
China Council for International Trade: Gov. Ritter delivers opening remarks at a seminar hosted by the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade. The seminar focused on Colorado's New Energy Economy and bioscience economic sectors.
Gov. Ritter thanks special Colorado tourism ambassadors Yuko Arimori and Patrick Harlan at a Colorado tourism event in Tokyo on Monday. Arimori is a record-setting marathon runner from Japan who now lives in Boulder, and Harlan is from Colorado Springs and now lives in Japan, where he is a famous comedian and TV personality. Arimori and Harlan both help promote Colorado tourism to Japanese audiences.
Gov. Ritter and Ambassador Schieffer: With U.S. Ambassador to Japan Tom Schieffer looking on, Gov. Ritter speaks to hundreds of guests at the Ambassador's Residence in Tokyo.
Gov. Ritter signs a Memorandum of Understanding in Tokyo between Colorado State University and two Japanese institutions to formally establish a global Center for Environmental Medicine. The two institutions are Gifu University and the National Institute of Radiological Sciences (NIRS).
Gov. Ritter and officials from CSU, Gifu University and NIRS celebrate the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding.
Formal portrait photograph of all the MOU participants.
Business Card Exchange: Gov. Ritter exchanges business cards with one of the Gifu University officials.
Gov. Ritter and Vice Minister Shibayama: Gov. Ritter meets with Japanese Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs Masahiko Shibayama (left) today, discussing economic-development opportunities between Colorado and Japan in fields such as renewable energy, bioscience, technology, air travel and tourism. The meeting took place at the Ministry offices in Tokyo.
Gov. Ritter greets Hiroshi Saito, the governor of Yamagata. Colorado and Yamagata have maintained a sister-state relationship for more than 20 years.
Gov. Ritter addresses Yamagata officials and guests at a reception welcoming the Colorado delegation to Yamagata.
Members of the Yamagata welcoming committee perform a special dinner ceremony that combines music, dancing and the preparation of rice meal for the dinner.
Gov. Ritter addresses Yamagata officials and guests at a reception welcoming the Colorado delegation to Yamagata.
Gov. Ritter Gift to Gov. Saito: Gov. Ritter presented Yamagata Gov. Hiroshi Saito with an authentic American Indian wool blanket as a token of appreciation for hosting the Colorado delegation. The blanket was provided by the American Indian College Fund and John Brackney, president and CEO of the South Metro Denver Chamber of Commerce.
Japanese Press Interview: Gov. Ritter discusses the visit to Yamagata and the overall economic-development mission to Asia with a Japanese TV crew after the meeting in Yamagata.
Governors Ritter and Saito: The two governors pose for a photo in the snow after the meeting in Yamagata.
Click on the below news releases to read more about the economic-development mission:
Gov. Ritter and Business Leaders Begin Asia Economic-Development Mission (Nov. 16, 2008)
Gov. Ritter, Business Leaders Announce Asia Economic-Development Mission (Nov. 10, 2008)