1. Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC; Governor: Kyosuke Shinozawa) will organize an Investment Forum to enhance foreign direct investment (FDI) in the new ASEAN member countries of Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam.  The Forum, which will be held on Friday, November 14 at the Imperial Hotel, is an official event marking "ASEAN-Japan Exchange Year 2003," and is jointly organized with the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) and the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC).  ICC is the world business organization – the world's largest and most representative business association, with more than 8,000 members in over 130 countries (See details at- www.iccwbo.org.).
    
2. The Forum's main program will consist of panel discussions, which will follow up discussions at the UNCTAD/ICC Investment Advisory Council (IAC), to be held on November 13 at the same venue, under the title "Overcoming the Bottlenecks and Impediments to Foreign Investment in Asian Least Developed Countries."  A business consulting session will follow the panel discussions. 
   Panelists to make presentations or take part in discussions are representatives from the new ASEAN member country governments (H.E. Mr. Sok Chenda, Secretary General, Council for the Development of Cambodia, Cambodia; H.E. Mr. Vo Hong Phuc, Minister, Ministry of Planning and Investment, Vietnam; Ms. Theingi Tin, Deputy Director General, Directorate of Investment and Company Administration, Ministry of National Planning and Economic Development, Myanmar; and H.E. Dr. Thongloun Sisoulith, Deputy Prime Minister, Committee for Planning and Cooperation, Laos) as well as representatives from business and industry in Europe, the U.S., Asia and Japan.  About 200 people are expected to attend the Forum.
    
3. The purpose of the Forum is to discuss specific measures to improve the environment for FDI in these new ASEAN member countries through face-to-face dialogue between high-ranking government officials of the new member countries and business representatives from Japan and other countries.  
   It is expected that discussions on practical measures will be held in the presence of the audience, made up mostly of representatives from Japanese companies keenly interested in investment opportunities in these countries.  Thus, the Forum will be beneficial for Japanese businesses by providing valuable information that supports their investment activities.   
    
4. ASEAN countries have launched the Initiative for ASEAN Integration (IAI) to address disparities among the organization's old and new member countries and thereby accelerate economic integration as well as boost international competitiveness.  In response, the Japanese government has demonstrated positive support for their efforts by announcing the "Initiative for Japan-ASEAN Comprehensive Economic Partnership."  As this year is designated "ASEAN-Japan Exchange Year 2003," the Investment Forum has been recognized as one of its official events.  
    
5. JBIC is set to promote further collaboration with other multilateral institutions through the holding of this Forum.  It will provide not only financial cooperation but also knowledge assistance to help Japanese businesses in their overseas economic activities and support economic social development in developing countries.   
   
   Notes: See Appendix for the detailed program of the Investment Forum.

• If you wish to bring the camera crew or would like to record the sounds, please consult with the secretariat in advance.
• After the Investment Forum, JBIC will hold a press conference as follows:

  Date: Friday, November 14, 2003   15:15-15:45
  Venue: Imperial Hotel, Tokyo (1-1, Uchisaiwai-cho 1-chome, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo) Nishiki Room, 3rd Floor