Third Symposium(Press Conference)

○Notes from the Press Conference
Date: November 21, 2000
Place: 3rd Floor, New Hotel Hankyu, Kochi　City,JAPAN

Attendees:
　　　　　　Port of Cebu
　　　　　　　　 Mr. Antonio Jose B. Elumir, Jr., General Manager of Cebu Port Authority
　　　　　　Port of Qingdao
　　　　　　　　 Mr. Chang De Chuan, Director of Qingdao Port Authority
　　　　　　Port of Subic Bay
　　　　　　　　 Mr. Victor L. Mamon, Senior Deputy Administrator for Operations
　　　　　　　　　Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA)
　　　　　　Port of Tanjung Perak
　　　　　　　　 Mr. Abdullah Umar, Branch Manager of Tanjung Perak Port
　　　　　　　　　 Indonesia Port Corporation III
　　　　　　Port of Kochi
　　　　　　　　 Mr. Daijiro Hashimoto, Governor of Kochi Prefecture

○Opening comments by Governor Hashimoto (summary):
　　・Welcome to the new member Port of Cebu.
　　・The symposium was attended not only by ports, but also by companies, JICA and other organizations, including those from abroad.
　　・INAP was formed with the intention to go beyond mere two-way sister-port relationships to form a network. It operates on a cultural level also, aiming to contribute to world peace.
　　・Governor Hashimoto offered his condolences on the death of Minister Ashraff, but felt that the 3rd Conference reflected Minister Ashraff's wishes.
　　・This was not just an official meeting, but informal time has also been used to the full
　　　for international exchange.
　　・Governor Hashimoto resolved, as the new Chairman,
　　　to continue efforts for the development of INAP.
　　・Kochi Prefecture will also work for the development of the INAP network.

Q1: (Member of the Press) We have heard that INAP is making definite progress, and could you please give us some concrete information about items of trade etc?
(Hashimoto) The Coconuts Net from Sri Lanka is planned for the near future. It is environmentally friendly and will lead to recycling projects. It is planned to increase Sri Lankan imports through INAP. I have also talked to Mr. Elumir from Cebu about the import of mango chips or furniture, or other such fun things to be traded. I hope that the government and companies will continue to gather information to lead to business in the future.


Q2: (Member of the Press) As a question to all foreign delegates, what are your impressions of the Port of Kochi, your expectations of INAP and your resolutions for the future?
(Mamon) This network will allow us to build trade and develop relationships with other members. We have export potential - we are exporting fresh mangoes, tuna, and onions to Japan,
　　　　 not only through Manila but also other ports, including Cebu. Subic Bay used to be a military port, and has now been converted to a commercial port.
(Umar) Thank you to Kochi and congratulations on a successful symposium. INAP is an organization of sister-ports enabling businessmen to gain ever better relationships
　　　　- economic, cultural and for peace and harmony. Such relationships will be beneficial for members. Under the leadership of Governor Hashimoto, I am sure
　　　　this organization will continue to grow, and achieve higher quality relationships. Finally thank you to Kochi, (particularly Governor Hashimoto and Mr. Shishido)
　　　　for this symposium and thank you to everyone attending.
(Chang Dechuan) This is my third visit to Kochi.
　　　　　　　　　I feel on every visit that Kochi is developing fast thanks to the efforts of Governor Hashimoto and the people of Kochi. The Port of Kochi previously didn't have any shipping routes, but one has now been established. The Port is still young with potential for growth. Lastly, I thank you for my warmly welcome here again in Kochi, and I offer my best wishes for the continued development of Kochi Port. Please come to Qingdao if you ever have the opportunity. Thank you very much.
(Elumir) I share the impressions of the other members as far as INAP is concerned. The vision is worth working for and I am sure we will not fail as we care for each other and for the world. Our relationship with the Port of Kochi is limited at the moment to some exchange of information. In due time, I am sure we will be able to determine the best options for our relationship in the future, be it business or otherwise.

Q3(Tokyo News) - You are quite a diverse group of ports. In the future, how would you like to expand your membership, do you have any prospective new members, and how big would you like your membership to become?
(Hashimoto): At the current time, there are no prospective new members. As to size, I hope that there will be suggestions from the 6 ports who are already members. Cebu has joined INAP through the sister-port relationship with the Port of Tanjung Perak
　　　　　　　signed at this conference. At the moment our membership is limited to the Asian region, but we hope to expand to the USA and Europe. As you said in your question, we are a diverse group of ports, but as has been mentioned in the symposium, we are an organization consisting of small and large ports, handling different cargoes. I think the meaning of INAP lies in the fact that we are promoting relations between such diverse ports. I think that such exchange will create new possibilities for us all.

Q4 (NHK) Could you please explain the INAP2000 Kochi Proclamation and the "new role of ports" more in more detail? What developments are there apart from economic exchanges?
(Hashimoto) Our role at the end of the 20th century has been concentrated on trade. However, in the future, our role will not just be economic, but we will also be expected to have a cultural role. Japanese people have an exotic image of Yokohama or Kobe because they have always been gateways for the entry of new and different cultures.
There have not been any particular official developments apart from trade. However, I believe that the interaction between individuals at the symposium will lead to great progress from the point of view of tourism promotion. JOPCA, OCDI and other port development groups representing Japan, and international organizations with offices in Japan have participated in this symposium and we have thus achieved deeper relations with them. This will surely lead to future opportunities.