Singapore Manufacturing Federation Welcomes the Kankeiren Business Delegation

13th February 2013 – A contingent of 35 distinguished participants, led by the Chairman of the Kansai Economic Federation (Kankeiren), Mr. Shosuke Mori, paid SMF a visit today to discuss both parties’ collaborative efforts moving forward.

Mr. Shosuke Mori, Chairman of the Kansai Economic Federation (Kankeiren) expressed the desire to strengthen collaborative efforts between Kankeiren and SMF during his opening address.

Marked as an auspicious start to the Lunar New Year, the visit witnessed active participation between members of the Kankeiren and council members of SMF, all eager to promote further collaborations and the strengthening of relationship between both parties.

“We signed the MOU with the Kansai Economic Federation (Kankeiren) on the 17th of March, 1995 to increase trade and business collaborations between Kankeriren and Singapore. We feel, however, that a lot more can and should be done,” said Mr. George Huang, President of SMF in his opening address.
As part of the MOU, the Kansai Economic Federation had extended invitations to SMF to participate in the Asean Management Seminar Program. To date, a large number of SMF’s council members and staff have benefitted from the training received at the seminar.

A total of 35 representatives from the Kansai Economic Federation as well as various members of the press were present at the visit today.

“Kankeiren launched the Asean Seminar back in 1980. Up till today, a total of 336 participants have participated in the programme, of which, 44 of them are Singaporeans. We would like very much to continue this collaboration moving forward, and we would be very appreciative if SMF could continue to support us in this initiative,” added Mr. Shosuke Mori.

Both Mr. George Huang and Mr. Shosuke Mori further agreed that there should be a formalisation of the Kankeriren Alumni under the SMF Secretariat to act as a bridge between both associations. Mr. Mori also stressed that “the alumni can also serve to encourage new participants, and to build upon the friendship between the Kankeiren and SMF, and to expand the information exchange network.”

The next step would be to explore collaborations in the areas of innovation and productivity. Mr. George Huang, President of SMF, further pledged to extend assistance to any kankeiren member in Singapore, and to personally lead a delegation to Osaka to participate in Kankeiren training. “SMF embraces the idea of learning from the Kankeiren, and in turn, to assist the Kankeiren to train members in Singapore” he enthused.

A group photo of members from both parties to commemorate the visit, which marked new beginnings and an auspicious start to the Lunar New Year. 

To commemorate the visit, Mr. George Huang presented the Kankeiren Business Delegation with a gold-plated Ascocenda orchid. The Ascocenda SMF 80th Anniversary orchid was unveiled by His Excellency, President Tony Tan at SMF's 80th Anniversary Gala Dinner last year. The fruitful visit concluded with a uniquely local Chinese New Year tradition, where the Japanese visitors were treated to a “Lo Hei” session and a sumptuous lunch spread.

Mr. George Huang, President of SMF, presenting Mr. Mori with a gold-plated version of the Ascocenda SMF 80th Anniversary Orchid. 

The Japanese visitors partaking of a local Chinese New Year tradition - "Lo Hei".