June 29, 2007 - Governor's Indonesia-Japan Trip Wrap-Up

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"I recently returned from a productive trip to Indonesia and Japan, where our delegation developed new opportunities for Hawai`i's businesses, including technology, health, tourism and agriculture.

Linking Hawai`i to the Asia-Pacific region enhances the ability of our residents to successfully compete in the global market and is a key component of the Hawai`i Innovation Initiative.

With this long term goal in mind, we established a historic State Partnership Program between Indonesia and Hawai`i which will increase regional security and disaster preparedness throughout our State.

In Japan, we promoted tourism while at the same time, sharing our new vision for Hawai`i's innovation economy and promoted the growing science and technology sectors in our state.

I am very excited about the immediate short-term results of the trip, as well as the long term potential, and believe it will positively shape Hawai`i for generations to come."