Sebelius says growing export market creating jobs in Kansas
Midwest U.S.-Japan Association conference opportunity to promote Kansas

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – Kansas has outstanding opportunities to export goods and services to consumers abroad, including Japan, Governor Kathleen Sebelius said yesterday.

The Governor spoke during the opening session of the 38th annual Midwest U.S.-Japan Association meeting in Indianapolis yesterday morning.  The gathering is designed to build relationships between Midwestern states and Japan.

“Japan is an important partner for Kansas and for the Midwest as a whole.  Japan has one of the world’s largest economies and provides great opportunities for Kansas businesses,” Sebelius said.

 Governor Sebelius has made expanding markets for Kansas products a key part of her economic growth strategy.  She led delegation of business, education and government leaders to Japan in 2004, and another to China last year.

“We’ve been able to build some key relationships with Japanese businesses and with the Japanese government, and those relationships allow us to promote Kansas products in Japan.  That helps Kansas businesses grow and create jobs,” Sebelius said.

Japan is Kansas’ sixth largest trading partner and the Kansas Department of Commerce has an office in Tokyo to help promote Kansas goods and services.  Kansas exports to Japan increased by 30 percent from 2004 to 2005, mirroring overall growth in the state’s exports which reached a record $6.7 billion last year.

“With more international consumers buying Kansas products, we are seeing new jobs created and a state economy that is stronger than ever,” Sebelius said.

Beef had been a significant export product for Kansas prior to the closure of the Japanese market due to concerns over possible bovine spongiform encephalopathy contamination (BSE) in shipments from other states. 

The market has since reopened and Sebelius told Japanese government and business leaders Kansas was eager to return Kansas beef to its previous position in the Japanese market.

“The Japanese consumer of beef is a valued customer for Kansas. We intend to resume delivery of safe and delicious beef products to our Japanese customers as quickly as possible,” Sebelius said.

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