March 26, 2019 - Discussions aim to expand Japanese market

High level discussions were conducted yesterday between the Cassowary Coast Regional Council and the Japanese Consul-General.

Increased export, trade and tourism opportunities were discussed when the Japanese Consul-General Kazunari Tanaka met with Cassowary Coast Regional Council Mayor John Kremastos in Mission Beach.

The Consul-General’s visit was a collaboration between the Japanese Government and the Cassowary Coast Regional Council.

At the conclusion of the discussions a Business Leaders Networking function was hosted, attended by approximately 30 business representatives from our region.

“Japan represents a significant opportunity for the Cassowary Coast” said Mayor Kremastos.

“With a growing aquaculture industry and direct flights from Cairns the opportunity for local businesses to expand further into the lucrative Japanese market is looming on our radar.”

One local business eager for increased exposure in the Japanese market is TomKat Global Solutions.  The TomKat KoolPak is a viable alternative to polystyrene boxes used for the storage and freighting of perishable produce worldwide.

“The Japanese market represents an massive opportunity for our business and the future development of the patent pending TomKat KoolPak “ stated Tom Long, Managing Director of Tomkat Global Solutions.

“We are poised to take our business to a new level as well as achieving a huge ecological boost for our oceans and environment.”

The Cassowary Coast region is well placed to grow as a result of increased exposure to the Japanese market.

“Our region is already well known in the Japanese tourism market” Cr Kremastos said.

“This visit has allowed many of our successful businesses an opportunity to better understand the Japanese market and position themselves to capitalise on a massive export opportunity.

“Japan and Queensland share a very strong and longstanding economic relationship. On the back of recent free trade agreements, opportunities are opening up in numerous sectors and it is important we take advantage of them and continue expanding our economic ties.”

Miri Iizuka of the Japan National Tourism Organisation (Sydney) outlined Japan’s tourism market and Vice-Consul Daisuke Miyake spoke about the Japan External Trade Organisation and its role in facilitating business opportunities with Japan.