EBC Council/ Committee Chairmen Meeting Minutes

September 12, 2002; 8:30-10:30 am

Held at Europa House

In attendance:

Executive Operating Board:
Richard Collasse (Chairman)
Lave Lindberg (Sweden)
Wolter Veenhoven (Netherlands)
Hubert de Mestier (France)
Ernesto Gimenez Burgos (Spain)

Chamber Presidents:
Horst Mueller (Austria)
Timo Varhama (Finland)
Tommy Kullberg (Sweden)
Bernard Anquez (France)
Emil Ekker (Norway)
Vagn Heiberg (Denmark)

Chamber Directors:
Manfred Dransfeld (Germany)
Simone Lorenz (Germany)
Luc Drevet (France)

Committee Chairmen:
Lisa Suits (Telecom Services)
Nikolaus Boltze (Automotive Components)
Jean-Francois Minier (Securities)
Anthony Millington (Automobiles)
Michael Hancock (Legal Services)
Pascal Sinnaeve (E-Commerce)
Richard Mountford (Asset Management)
Andy Mankiewicz (Food)
Peter Schano (Medical Equipment)
Lionel Requillart (Cosmetics)

EC Observers:
Michael Reiterer

EBC Secretariat:
Alison Murray
Casey Sedgman

Agenda items:

1. Introduction of new EC Delegation Minister Mr. Michael Reiterer

R. Collasse welcomed the EC Delegation's new Minister and Deputy Head of Delegation M. Reiterer, who replaces N. Evans. M. Reiterer introduced himself and briefly described his previous roles within the EC structure.

2. Summary of the Chairman's plans for the second half of the year

R. Collasse to meet with officials of the EU and the EUJBDRT October 15th. This will build on talks with DG1 and DG3 that took place in June of this year, and efforts to strengthen the EUJBDRT. First meeting of the EBC Constitution Taskforce scheduled for Friday Sept. 13. Still a number of courtesy calls to be made to European Embassies and Chamber Presidents, which Chair hopes to complete by the end of the year. A special EOB meeting has been set for November 14th to focus specifically on committee liaison activities.

3. Report on EBC Lamy Breakfast (July 9)

News reports provided separately. R. Collasse's speech provided separately. A. Murray reported that the event was well attended and well received. A. Murray expressed gratitude to those chambers that helped to advertise this event by re-broadcasting through chamber publications, etc.

4. Report on the Chiba Government Reception (September 9)

Reception a test case for EBC improving ties with prefectural governments and promoting interest in areas such as PFI and deregulation at the local level. The Chiba government, for its part, was interested in promoting investment into the prefecture. This exchange has already proven fruitful for a number of EBC members firms. Governor Domoto's administration has also been introduced to a number of other arms of the Japanese administration promoting PFI through relationship with the EBC. (E-mail from Development Bank of Japan/Fukasawa provided separately).

5. EBC-GOJ informal luncheon meeting group - report of August 29th meeting

A. Murray and R. Collasse met with representatives of METI, JETRO, Keidanren, MOFA, IBJ on August 29th with regard to the Japanese investment environment. R. Collasse reported that the issues being discussed are becoming more structured. Goal to have MOF and MPHPT to join these informal meetings in the future.

6. Event for EU Vice President September 20th

On the heels of the Lamy Breakfast, a smaller breakfast meeting between a smaller group of EBC committee chairmen and the EC Vice President Ms. Loyolo De Palacio has been scheduled for 8:30am on September 20th. Ms. De Palacio will be in Japan for the Energy Forum. R. Collasse noted that he would like to raise the issue of EBC-funding with the Vice-President.

7. Meeting with Delegate Minister of Industry, France, September 20

R. Collasse has been asked by the French Embassy to brief Ms. Nicole Fontaine, Delegate Minister of Industry (France), who will also be here for the Energy Forum, on the business environment in Japan. A number of EBC members will accompany the Chair to provide expert comments in their particular sector.

8. Letter from Hermes

Distributed separately. Coordination with the EBC Intellectual Property Committee on this issue will be sought.

9. Letter from Chartered Institute of Arbitrators

Provided separately. Decision whether or not to support this activity will be taken after A. Murray receives more details. Michael Hancock, EBC Legal Services Committee Chair, noted that the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators was a highly respected organization.

10. Collaboration with EC Delegation on a) EU Japan Regulatory Reform Dialogue and b) visit of Mr. C. Baron

1. C. Sedgman reported that all Committee Chairmen had been contacted with regard to this issue and were encouraged to give their comments directly to the EC by the end of this month.

2. The EBC helped organize meetings between EBC members and C. Baron of the EC on the issue of government procurement. C. Baron was in Japan for a conference on semi-conductors.

11. Membership of Spain in the EBC Council

Spain has joined the EBC Council as a member without a Chamber in the same way that Enterprise Ireland is a member of the EBC. Spanish Representative Ernesto Gimenez-Burgos introduced himself and noted that Spain will be represented by the Spanish Trade Promotion Office in Japan. R. Collasse warmly welcomed Spanish membership on behalf of the EBC.

12. EU Japan Business Dialogue Roundtable (EUJBDRT)

The annual meeting of the EUJBDRT took place on July 8th and 9th in Tokyo. R. Collasse represented the EBC on the RT and co-chaired WG1 "Creating an Open Environment for Trade and Investment". (R. Collasse's speech, Joint Recommendations, WTO Policy Statement, Press Release, post-meeting letter from RT Chair E. Davignon provided separately). R. Collasse noted the importance of strengthening the RT by increasing number of members that are truly committed to Japan, and asked that all Chambers provide the EBC with a list of 5 potential candidates for admission to the dialogue by September 27th. Further information will be sent from the EBC Secretariat separately.

13. EBC White Paper

A. Murray reported that sponsorships and orders are short of the amount received last year. She noted that the gap of 1.5 million yen reflects the limited amount of orders received from the national Chambers this year (memo provided separately). C. Sedgman reported that production was on schedule for sending the English version to the printers and the translators on Oct.15th. R. Collasse reported that the Keidanren hall has been chosen again for the venue for the launch of the White Paper, which has now been set for November 22nd. A. Murray noted that the scale of the event will depend on the amount of extra orders received between now and then. R. Collasse noted the generous donation from HMLV of champagne for this event, and asked if any other members would be willing to donate products in lieu of money for the launch, to please contact the EBC secretariat.

14. Update on committee membership invoices and chamber payments

A. Murray reported that all Chamber subsidies have been paid for this FY.

15. EOB Liaison responsibilities update

List provided separately.

16. Creation of membership category for industry associations

To be discussed at the next Taskforce Meeting.

17. Request for a Retail Committee

A request has been received by the EBC Secretariat to establish a Retail Committee. A membership outreach will commence at the end of October.

18. New CLEPA contract

A. Murray reported that the EBC has a new contract with CLEPA. The scope of the contract has been reduced.

19. Committee reports

• The E-Commerce and Telecom Carriers Committee held a joint seminar with a speaker from the MPHPT on September 10. (Flyer for this event provided separately)

• Food Committee submission to the MHLW on food additives provided separately

• The EBC has a new Human Resources Committee, chaired by Mr. Richard Mason. A. Murray reported the turnout to the first meeting was close to 30 participants.

• Asset Management Committee submission of response to call for public comments on securities market reform provided separately.

• Insurance Committee submission of response to call for public comments on bank-sales liberalisation provided separately.

• Tax Committee position paper on new consolidated tax system provided separately.

• A. Murray and C. Sedgman reported an extremely successful outcome to an EBC action through the OTO concerning the time needed to have IVDs approved for sale in Japan. For certain products, this is now down to 2-3 months. C. Sedgman noted the hard work put into this action by the Medical Diagnostics Committee, for which they should be congratulated.

• Securities Committee Chair JF. Minier reported developments in the lobbying structure of the newly re-vamped International Bankers Association (IBA). Minier noted that this may have repercussions on the way the EBC financial services committees are organized, and promised to keep the EBC Council informed.

20. First task force meeting (September 13, 2002)

The first taskforce meeting will be held on September 13th. List of participants provided separately.

21. AOB

No other business.

Meeting adjourned 10:25 am.