EBC Meeting Minutes

EOB Meeting Notes

Tuesday, July 1, 2003; EBC Office

08:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.

      

GENERAL INFORMATION UPDATE FROM THE SECRETARIAT:

  1. New EOB Members

    • BCCJ - Mr. Richard Mason; GCCJ - Mr. Gerhard Schlosser
      Both new Vice-Chairmen were introduced by R. Collasse. R. Mason also serves as the Human Resources Committee Chairman (approved by the EBC Council and BCCJ Board).

  2. Retiring EOB Member

    • CCIFJ: Mr. Hubert Du Mestier., R. Collasse expressed thanks to Mr. Du Mestier for his contribution and pointed out that he will still be involved in EBC matters in the EBC Council as the new President of the CCIFJ. He will be replaced on the EOB, by former EBC Animal Health Committee Chairman, Mr. Michel Lachausee.

  3. Report on recent & upcoming events:

    • Human Resources Open Speaker Meeting (June 17)
      More than 30 people attended, although over 40 had signed up. Raised Y50,000 after costs

    • Tax Committee Seminar (June 26)
      Around 50 people attended, although 60 had signed up. Raised Y100,000 after costs.

    • Economist Conferences: Automotive Roundtable (July 17)
      Several EBC members attending. Under agreement with the EBC, this year, Carlo Zambotto is a guest

  4. Renewal of office rent contract
    The office rental contract was renewed for 2 years - no increase. Rent price is approx. 9,000 yen/tsubo (plus management fee, basic cleaning, secom security, etc.)

  5. Office intern (unpaid) expected in August-September (Ms. Van Amstel)
    A final-year Maastricht University (The Netherlands) law student expected to work through August and September as an unpaid intern. She is the daughter of former NCCJ President (Mr. W. Van Amstel) who will take care of her living costs, accommodation, etc.

  6. Dinner with EFPIA secretariat on June 12
    A. Murray was invited to dinner with EFPIA Japan secretariat staff. They agreed to promote sponsorship of the white paper among their members and several sponsorships have been received as a result.

  7. Presentation by A. Murray at ETP Orientation on June 23
    A. Murray gave a 40-minute overview of the EBC and some of the key current issues at an orientation meeting for the new (2003-2004) intake of ETP participants. Several wish to attend EBC committee meetings.

  8. Visit from Chiba Prefectural Government Officials on June 23
    Chiba Government officials visited the office with a year 2002 ETP intern to promote Chiba as a site for investment.

  9. Visit from president of Japan Institute of Policy Research (July 2)
    He wishes to discuss areas for potential collaboration.

  10. Visit for Osaka Government officials - July 6
    Scheduled

  11. Presentation by C. Sedgman at EU-Japan Centre program on July 24
    C. Sedgman will make a presentation to participants in one of the centre's short-term training programs for European managers.

  12. Call from EC for tenders for ETP seminar/industry vist program (EBC is interested, but not eligible)
    Refer to distributed information. EBC is not eligible to apply as not a legally registered entity.　Discussion arose about the need for registration and also for the need to register the name of a European entity before any other organization such as Eurochambres (which might choose to set up a Japan branch in order to broaden the scope of their activities and EC project bidding in Japan).

  13. Call from EC for tenders for "Europe Institute in Japan"
    Refer to distributed information. Only university consortia are eligible to submit tenders.

  14. Report on recently established local EU-Japan Business Executives Forum
    Refer to distributed information.

REPORT FROM THE CHAIRMAN:

  1. Report on recent and upcoming meetings and activities:

    • Investment lunch group (June 11)
      This time hosted by METI.

    • BLCCJ-organised breakfast with Richard Collasse (June 17)
      Successful. Around 70 people present. A non-EBC member (BLCCJ member) has offered a fund-raising opportunity as a result (See item 22 below).

    • Post-RT meeting with Mr. Yonemura (Mr. Kobayashi's Sherpa) (July 3)
      R. Collasse and D. Delgorge schedule to meet with Mr. Yonemura

    • Visit to Asset Management Committee meeting
      R. Collasse plans to visit committee meetings and started with the Asset Management Committee

    • Meeting with DaimlerChrysler (re Golf Day - more details in Item 23)
      R. Collasse met with Mr. Temple (President of DaimlerChrysler), Mr. Lee (President of the ACCJ) and others to discuss, primarily the upcoming golf challenge, which DaimlerChrysler has kindly agreed to sponsor (name sponsor) (see Item 23 below)

    • Comments on European Institute in the US
      See distributed material. R.Collasse believes there are aspects of this institute that are applicable as model for the EBC

    • Other

      • RT Debriefing of the EU Commercial Counsellors is scheduled for July 3 (Organised by the ICCJ)

      • R. Collasse met recently with Vice President Arai of the Nikkei Group, who confirmed interest in a
        joint seminar

EJBDRT: 　

  1. Debriefing on RT from D. Delgorge and C. Sedgman
    D. Delgorge confirmed that the EBC is key player in the RT. The paper from Working Party 1 (EBC/JT) was by far the most substantive. EBC comment on GOJ ministers' presentations led to modification of recommendation to include… "The Members expect that EU and Japanese governments will cooperate with the private sector, which intends to study the actual key impediments to FDI with the goal of facilitating the conclusion of this Agreement."
    There appears to be a clear intention to include banks from next year (mentioned in preparatory meeting).

  2. EU-Sherpette Briefing Meeting - July 28
    R. Collasse, D. Delgorge, C. Sedgman to meet with representatives in Japan of EU members of the RT to debrief them on this year's RT and initiate follow-up activity

COMMITTEE ITEMS:

  1. New committee chairmen

    • Retail Committee (Mr. Laurent Levan-Carrefour)

    • Insurance Committee (Ms. Saskia Goedhart-ING Life Insurance)

    • Phytosanitary Committee (Mr. Jean-Philippe Oulevey-Greenwings)

  2. Modification of EOB Committee Liaison Responsibilities
    See attached modification (to be modified again at the next meeting with change in the CCIFJ EOB)

  3. Any committee liaison comments from EOBs
    No comments

WHITE PAPER 2003:

  1. Result of funding outreach so far
    See distributed material. We have raised enough to produce the report in English and Japanese, but given the state of our finances this year, there is still not enough to retrospectively cover the costs of this Year's RT participation (production of paper and C. Sedgman's costs in Brussels), and to hold an event. As of July 1, only the DCCCJ and SCCJ had ordered any white papers and the EOBs were requested to speak with their chambers to place orders. Another reminder ("Final Call") will be sent out to everyone on July 1.
    Schedule
    C. Sedgman will start work on the white paper in July, but due to the intervention of the summer, most of the work will be done in late August-September. The paper must be ready by the beginning of November as the EC is sending a team of high-level officials for the annual regulatory reform dialogue at around that time and the aim is to coordinate the two activities, especially if we raise sufficient funds for an event.

FUNDING & FUND-RAISING ITEMS:

  1. Fundraising scheme offered by BLCCJ member

    • Meeting with A. Murray on July 2 followed by outreach to members
      See distributed material. In essence, if EBC members subscribe to this telecom service provider, they will receive the same telecom service for the same cost as that charged their present provider, but the money will be donated to the EBC (to a total of 5 million yen). A. Murray will discuss details with the provider and prepare an outreach to members. This should serve as a great incentive to generate other similar innovative fundraising schemes.

SPECIAL ITEMS:

  1. Golf Day - September 26

    • Outline of arrangements and request from Erik Ullner
      See distributed information. Outreach from the secretariat to be made on July 1. FCCJ's Clas Bystedt (who has prepared a dedicated website) will manage applications. EBC will earn 3,000 yen per player (72 European players) from the registration fee to be paid directly into the EBC bank account to guarantee registration.

    • E. Ullner requested R. Collasse to consult with Mr. Lee of the ACCJ to invite 4-8 dignitaries to participate as DaimlerChrysler will also pay the fees for these on top of their major donation. EOBs were also requested to encourage their chamber members to sponsor the event through the donation of prizes. The ACCJ has 10 such sponsors already. This event is likely to develop into one with a high profile in the Japanese media.

    • The EOB members were also requested to encourage their chamber members to participate.

TASKFORCE:

  1. Next taskforce meeting - July 26
    The next taskforce meeting will be held at the Chanel offices on Saturday, July 26 from 10 a.m. to the evening followed by dinner.

ANY OTHER BUSINESS: 　

  1. Any Other Business
    None