Legislature(1997 - 1998)
04/21/1998 05:17 PM House ITT
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* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
JOINT MEETING
HOUSE SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON WORLD TRADE & STATE/FEDERAL RELATIONS
HOUSE SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON INTERNATIONAL TRADE & TOURISM
April 21, 1998
5:17 p.m.
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
BRIEFING BY TRADE REPRESENTATIVES FROM JAPAN, KOREA & TAIWAN
TAPE(S)
98-3, SIDES A & B
CALL TO ORDER
Representative Ramona Barnes, Chairman of the House Special
Committee on World Trade and State/Federal Relations, convened the
joint meeting of the House Special Committee on World Trade and
State/Federal Relations and House Special Committee on
International Trade and Tourism at 5:17 p.m.
PRESENT
Committee members present at the call to order were Representatives
Barnes, Cowdery, Ryan and Austerman. Representative Kott arrived
as the meeting was in progress.
SUMMARY OF INFORMATION
(All presenters were via teleconference from the Anchorage
Legislative Information Office.)
PRISCILLA WOHL, Lead Trade Specialist, Division of Trade and
Development, Department of Commerce and Economic Development,
introduced the trade representatives and helped facilitate
communication.
KOJIRO ABE, State of Alaska Representative, Japan Office, discussed
the Japanese economy, tourism in respect to northern lights (aurora
borealis) viewing, seafood, the liquefied natural gas (LNG) market
in Japan, deregulation of utility companies and nuclear energy.
IDA YAO, State of Alaska Representative, Taiwan Office, discussed
the Taiwanese economy. She talked about trade shows she has
participated in representing Alaska products. She mentioned the
seafood and agriculture industries as future vehicles to work for
more international activity.
K.S. YANG, State of Alaska Representative, Korea Office, discussed
the Korean economy. He spoke of crude oil, LNG, tourism and
seafood. He mentioned the nonstop flights now available from
Alaska to Korea, noting he would like to promote these more.
COMMITTEE MEMBERS asked several questions, to which written answers
are to be furnished immediately. All trade representatives
mentioned the "various stories" BP, Exxon and ARCO are confusing
the end user with. The facts about who these end users are, what
the three major companies are telling them, what the end users are
saying, and what type of dates are mentioned in conversations were
requested from all three trade representatives respective to their
area of representation. All three trade representatives were also
asked to respond to the amount available in the United States
Financial Reserves for their areas. Ms. Yao is to send a copy of
a contract between Formosa Regent Hotel and Backyard Cats first
thing in the morning. Any documents or contracts between a
legislator or legislative staff are to be immediately forwarded to
the committee chairs. The importance of paying US businesses for
their services and goods was stressed. Mr. Yang was specifically
asked to look into some matters pending in his area where Alaskan
businesses are not being paid. He was reminded that these
businesses are not in business to watch and wait on the market, as
seems to be the present style of business in Korea. Mr. Yang said
he would be doing "more than his best" to explain the real reason
Alaskan businesses were not being paid, and reconcile matters. Mr.
Yang was also asked to look into the Export Assistance Program to
find out what type of seafood marketing program is being undertaken
in North Korea. Ms. Yao was asked to send a copy of a report
relating to potential buyers of cabbage or other agricultural
products to Representative Ryan. Mr. Abe was asked to reply to a
question regarding Sony and a statement made by the company
regarding Japan's economy. This question was to be transmitted in
written form via facsimile to Mr. Abe.
COMMITTEE ACTION
The committees requested their questions be answered immediately in
written form. The committees took no action.
ADJOURNMENT
Representative Barnes adjourned the joint meeting at 6:20 p.m.
NOTE:
The meeting was recorded and handwritten log notes were taken. A
copy of the tape and log notes may be obtained by contacting the
House Records Office at 130 Seward Street, Suite 211, Juneau,
Alaska 99801-1182, (907) 465-2214, and after adjournment of the
second session of the Twentieth Alaska State Legislature, in the
Legislative Reference Library.
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