FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 15, 2000
Contact: Rusty Cheuvront 502-564-2611 or
                Pamela Trautner 502-564-7670   

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GOVERNOR PATTON TO TRAVEL TO JAPAN

FRANKFORT, KY – May 15, 2000 – Governor Paul Patton leaves for Japan on Wednesday, May 17 for his seventh trip to Japan in efforts to bring additional investment and job opportunities to Kentucky.  During the trip to Tokyo and Nagoya he will meet with officials from several Japanese companies considering a new plant location in Kentucky as well as those that already have facilities in the Commonwealth.

The Governor’s delegation is scheduled to meet with Thomas Foley, U.S. Ambassador to Japan.  In addition to company meetings, Governor Patton will participate in an overseas investment promotion fair sponsored by the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) on May 23.  Approximately 80 to 100 Japanese companies are expected to attend.

Governor Patton will be accompanied by his wife, Judi, Economic Development Cabinet Secretary Gene Strong, Commissioner of Business Development Jim Navolio, Deputy Commissioner of the Kentucky State Police Patrick Simpson and the Governor's Special Projects Director, Donna Moloney. The Kentucky delegation will visit Tokyo and Nagoya, Japan, and will return to the United States on May 26.

"Kentucky’s stature in the international business community continues to grow,” said Governor Patton.  “Trips like this enable us to build upon our excellent relationships with the Japanese companies that have already made an investment in the Commonwealth as well as developing relationships with new companies.”

Currently, there are 104 Japanese-owned plants in Kentucky employing more than 33,000 Kentuckians and representing an investment in the Commonwealth of over $7.2 billion. In addition, more than $760 million in goods and services, or almost eight percent of Kentucky’s total exports, were exported to Japan in 1999, which makes that country Kentucky’s fourth largest trading partner.   Major exports include transportation equipment, industrial machinery, food products and chemicals.

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