Developing "Competitive Products" in Oita Prefecture

(Oita Godo Newspaper, November 4^th 2008, morning paper)

In order to support small-medium enterprises, which develop new products by utilizing the natural resources in Oita area, an organization to promote the creation of products in the prefecture, namely Kensansouzoukiko, was established (the foundation to utilize Oita's natural resources for the purpose of city revival) and the first aim to support enterprises was concluded. About 12 or 13 items were selected to be the first products which would be used in the product development activities. In the future, within one or two years these "competitive products" would be improved and polished, so as to bring out benefits to the prosperity to the enterprises and the prefecture.

In the product development projects involving the industry-university cooperation, TLO Oita (in Oita City) had selected two items and strived to develop a health drink by making use of kabosu and herbs. In the product development involving only industry, by utilizing the surplus of agricultural products such as gingko nuts and chestnuts to develop products Kitsuki City was working towards the improvement of the city. In the product development projects involving the cooperation of industries, Hita City managed to make use of pears to develop liqueur.

To promote the development of products by through the utilization of natural resources in an area, a law had been planned and decided. Forty-seven resources including tourism resources like iron-related products hot springs houses which look like samurai's houses would become the focus.

According to Kensansouzoukiko, "the products related to food have been developed relatively easily, but in the future there is a need to develop other fields as well".

The organization also made donations to the financial institutions in the prefecture (900,000,000 yen) and the country (4,000,000,000 yen) and the total donation was 5,000,000,000 yen. After the ten years of operation period, an operating profit of 70,000,000 yen is anticipated.

Comments: The utilization of natural resources to develop unique products in the prefecture is indeed an important part of the economy of the prefecture. In Oita prefecture, there have been a wide range of activities relating to social entrepreneurships by making full use of the resources available and considering citizens' needs. There have also been projects involving university students and I really think that this is a mutual, win-win cooperation, as both the citizens and students gain benefits. I look forward to the involvement of international students in the local projects to develop local products, and I truly hope that we can learn from the experiences and apply the knowledge and skills that we have gained to revive the economies of our own cities.

NUGROHO Katarina Marsha Utama

Indonesia

APM2, Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University