EBC Meeting Minutes

EOB Meeting Notes

Wednesday, February 23, 2005; EBC Office, 08:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.

      


Attendees:
R. Collasse, A. Murray, P. Stalman, P. Gibb, M. Lachaussee, T. Henriksen
D. Delgorge, G. Schlosser, H. Porat, A. Zimmermann, E. Ullner

Regrets: M. Fasce, M. Otter, T. Varlid

1. REPORT FROM THE CHAIRMAN:

  1. Presentation to Paris Chamber of Commerce - January 27
    R. Collasse made a presentation about the EBC and FDI to the Japanese chapter of the chamber. French journalists were present.

  2. Lunch with Government Investment Luncheon Group - February 8
    No major presentations at this meeting, which served largely to renew collaboration for this year. Ministry of Finance has withdrawn from the group and Thomas Naecke will attempt to obtain their participation at the next meeting.

  3. Breakfast with ACCJ (February 9)
    R. Collasse and A. Murray met with D. Howard, D. Westmore, R. Grondine and K. Sato of the ACCJ to discuss collaboration on promoting incorporation of triangular mergers into the commercial code and related tax treatment, a joint press conference, a joint conference/seminar on healthcare reform.

  4. Start of EBC FDI Taskforce (March 16)
    The first meeting will be held at Chanel on March 16 at 6 p.m.

  5. EJBDRT - update on dates and new Co-Chair (Viscount Davingon's replacement) for 2006
    Current dates for the meeting in Brussels are July 7 and 8. Baron Jacob, Chairman of UCB will take over as the European Co-Chair from Viscount Davignon in 2006.

  6. Others

2. REPORT FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR:

  1. New Policy Director
    C. Sedgman left the EBC on February 10 and Jakob Edberg will start as Policy Director on March 1. Jakob has previous work experience with the EBC, manages the EWI and has been working for the Swedish Embassy in the trade lobbying area.

  2. Portugal and Greece
    Portugal advised at the end of 2004 that they will withdraw from the EBC this year. Greece/Hellenic Board of Trade still has not paid the 2004 subsidy and indicated they think 300,000 yen is too high.

  3. Visits to the office and other matters
    There has been a large number of visits of external parties to the EBC. Major ones as follows:

    • * The Japan Times (January 7) to discuss EU supplement in May

    • * Osaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry(February 4) - want 5 EBC people to attend a small gathering on March 15 to exchange views on investment in Osaka

    • * Cabinet Office (February 7) - to report on ministry replies to questions submitted to the Japan Investment Council (JIC) by EBC in November

    • * Aeronautics, Space & Defence Committee held large-scale meeting with METI representatives in EBC office

    • * Rent agreement renewed for 2 years - no change in details

    • * Visit from F. Galametz of CCIFJ - writing a regular series of articles about the EBC for the monthly chamber newsletter. Interviewing each committee chairman

    • * Meeting with new DCCJ Executive Director - Annette Hoiness - scheduled for February 28

  4. February 14 JIC meeting and follow-up
    A. Murray represented R. Collasse in JIC meeting (February 14) as original date was changed. Ministries gave oral and written replies to items raised by EBC at the November meeting. An informal follow-up meeting is scheduled for February 23 and the next formal JIC meeting for March 16.

  5. TCCI collaboration
    Tokyo Chamber of Commerce & Industry requested the participation of 2 Japanese-speaking EBC members in its International Committee. The EBC secretariat was overwhelmed with responses and TCCI agreed to accept 5-6 people.

3. FUNDING & FUND-RAISING:

  1. Statement of Cash balances and of cash receipts and disbursements - 2004 (to be audited in March)
    As per distributed sheet.

  2. (i) Projected income from chamber subsidies (23,816,000 yen not 24,116,000) - due to Portugal's withdrawal
    (ii) Committee membership fees (Around 23,000,000)

  3. Additional funding lines: (Around 9-10 million yen predicted -refer to revised prediction spreadsheet) Of note:

i. European Wood Initiative (2,500,000 m yen)
EWI is signing a 12-month agreement for sub-letting part of the EBC office

ii. Ultracall donations (360,000yen - aiming for 10 m yen!!)
Mr. Sakamoto will contact companies directly with a letter of introduction to be prepared by the secretariat and signed by R. Collasse.

4. COMMITTEE ITEMS:
Retail Committee: Submission of position statement on tableware
Paper was distributed in the meeting

5. ORGANISATIONAL ITEMS:

  1. Election of Three Committee Chairmen
    J-F. Minier, P. Stalman and D. Delgorge were the only nominations and were duly elected after committee chairmen were given an adequate time to object.
    However, the new constitution has not made provision for the possibility that elected committee chairmen would also be members of the EOB.

  2. Vice-Chairmen and Treasurer Recommendations from EBC Chairman
    R. Collasse recommended P. Stalman as the EBC Treasurer, D. Delgorge as EBC Vice-chairman 1 and J-F Minier as EBC Vice-Chairman 2. A. Murray to check the new constitution to check on what "double-hatting" of roles will mean in terms of voting rights. Results of the election and the voting rights check to be discussed at the Board of Governors' meeting on February 25.

6. FUNDING TASKFORCE:

  1. Feedback from Chambers and next steps
    Feedback as per distributed sheet. Some feedback has not yet been provided. A. Murray to follow-up. Next meeting will be held on March 22 at 6:30 p.m. at the EBC office. Parties who have objections to the proposal will asked to attend.

7. DAIMLERCHRYSLER CUP REPORT:
Year 2005 planning report from Erik Ullner
The 2005 challenge will be held on Friday, September 30 at the Atsugi Kokusai Club.
The first Golf Taskforce meeting will be held in the first week of April.

8. ANY OTHER BUSINESS:
Any Other Business
None