For Immediate Release
March 8th, 2016
Crombie Meets with Panasonic Canada, Lays Groundwork for Japanese Trade Mission
Mississauga – I am proud that Mississauga is home to a number of globally-respected, successful and innovative Japanese-based companies like Panasonic Canada, Mississauga Mayor Bonnie Crombie said today.
Mayor Crombie made the comments following her first official meeting, held yesterday, with Michael Moskowitz, President of Panasonic Canada, and the company’s corporate leadership team. The City’s Panasonic footprint includes three different locations, employing over an estimated 400 people – the second largest employer of any Japanese company in Mississauga.
Mayor Crombie said “the work we undertake now, allows us to better lay the groundwork for our April 2016 economic development trade mission to Japan, where we are working to arrange meetings with Panasonic officials at their global headquarters in Osaka.”
Last week Mayor Crombie held meetings with manufacturer NTN Corporation, another Japanese-based company that chooses to do business in Mississauga.
“We are committed to building on the already thoughtful, strong and important working relationship Mississauga enjoys with Japanese communities and businesses,” Mayor Crombie commented, adding that Japan ties with Germany for the largest market for capital investment in Mississauga (after the United States). Mississauga has over 100 Japanese companies, representing nearly half of all Japanese companies located in Ontario.
Information and communications technology, aerospace and the life sciences represent the top three sectors for foreign-direct investment. Mississauga is home to Canada’s second largest life sciences cluster.
In November Mayor Crombie met with Japanese Consul General Yasunori Nakayama, saying that “this was an opportunity to highlight the City’s appreciation to the government, people and businesses of Japan for continuing to choose Mississauga to invest, grow and expand service offerings.”
Mayor Crombie’s meeting with Consul General Nakayama is consistent with the work being undertaken by the Mississauga International Partnership Program Committee (MIPP) – a working group that is leveraging Mississauga’s international expertise and cultural diversity to help retain and attract foreign-direct investment. Mayor Crombie serves as Honorary Chair.
Beyond economic development, since 1981, Mississauga and the community of Kariya have enjoyed a sister-city relationship, exchanging friendship and cultural delegations. The Mississauga Friendship Association (MFA) was established in 1993 to promote, foster and maintain this sister-city relationship. In 2015, Mayor Crombie welcomed students and teachers from Kariya Kita High School who were visiting from Japan.
In 1992, Kariya Park was officially opened in Mississauga to honour this twinning relationship. “Mississauga is proudly home to the beautiful Kariya Park, which celebrates our long, proud and strong history together, and serves as a popular gathering place for all residents to enjoy.”
Mayor Crombie concluded “Working with our Japanese counterparts, we will further promote economic development opportunities, the exchange of knowledge and best practices, and celebrate a far greater appreciation and understanding of Canada and Japan’s enriching cultural traditions and shared values.”
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