Here is a post from Jeff Fleming that was appropriate for DownTown Kingsport news:
Source: State of Tennessee, Economic Development Newsletter
Kingsport-based Puffin Innovations is one of 60 companies chosen nationwide by the Japanese External Trade Organization to travel to Japan next month. The companies will work to establish their international business presence through networking opportunities and other avenues.
Puffin Innovations, which makes robotic ice cream machines for Discovery Ice Cream, announced last April that they will establish an Asian operation headquarters in Japan.
“We are working to finalize all of the details in the upcoming weeks,” said Allan Jones, Puffin Innovations CEO. “This will give us a local presence in a very important market. This also puts us closer to key innovators and suppliers.
“We were honored to be selected by JETRO to participate in this prestigious program. We are thankful for the opportunity to establish operations in Japan as well as introductions to potential key partners, which will position us for explosive growth in Asia.”
“JETRO is inviting only 60 companies from all over the world this year,” said Kazumi Iino, Tennessee JETRO business advisor. “Only prominent companies were invited in the past. I’m really glad that a Tennessee company was chosen for this elite group of companies.”
In an effort to promote direct investment in Japan by Tennessee companies, JETRO will also assist Tennessee companies in exhibiting at several trade shows throughout 2008. JETRO is providing roundtrip airfare, hotel accommodations and booth registration for both companies. Companies must apply to be considered.
For more information on JETRO or the the invitational programs below, contact Kazumi Iino at kazumi.iino@state.tn.us or visit www.tnecd.gov/jetro/main.htm.
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Best Regards
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Jeff Fleming | jeff_fleming@earthlink.net
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