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.