The cities of Krotoszyn (Poland), Okinoshima (Japan), and Misato (Japan) have organised a very successful trade mission to Shimane Prefecture (Japan) in 2023. This mission signifies a continuation of joint activities implemented in 2019, which were interrupted by the outbreak of the COVID-19 epidemic. Behind the preparation of dozens of meetings, workshops, and visits, were the friendly relations between Krotoszyn and Okinoshima, based on a 7-year-old sister-city cooperation agreement, as well as the ties created with the inhabitants of the two towns through the years.
The trade mission was held from 9 to 14 May. The scope of the mission was the Shimane Prefecture, where Okinoshima is located. 

“We have been cooperating in many areas of culture, tourism, education. Now the time has come for the economic exchange,” stated Franciszek Marszałek, Mayor of Krotoszyn.

In the meetings, the Krotoszyn Municipality was represented by Franciszek Marszałek, Mayor of Krotoszyn, and supported by the high-ranking delegation from the Marshal Office of Wielkopolska Region in Poznan – Krzysztof Grabowski, the Deputy Marshal of Wielkopolska Region and Izabela Mroczek, Director of the Rural Development Programmes. Following businesses from the Krotoszyn area attended: Tomasz Tarnawski – CEO, Las-Kalisz Co. LLC (venison meat producer: rabbit, wild boar, deer); Łukasz Sztuder – PW Agrounima Cezary Sztuder (agricultural machinery producer); Zdzisław Śnieciński – MECH MASZ Zdzisław Śnieciński (CNC machinery); Radosław Ludzis – Blending Co. LLC (fertilizers); Mateusz Grzegorski – CEO, A2HM Co. LLC (construction of bus stops and bicycle shelters); Andrzej Włodarczyk (roof construction).

The entrepreneurs had the opportunity to take a closer look at production processes in Japanese companies and compare them with their own, to observe good practices that can be implemented after returning to Poland, and to familiarize themselves with the product catalogues of the overseas sister companies. The delegation had the opportunity to visit various companies: Dandan farm (Japanese-origin beef cattle kuroge wagyu - breeding and rearing); Oki Shuzō (rice wine production); Ohchi Yamakujira (wild boar meat production); Field Work Center Azabu University (wild boar behaviour research, wild game processing and food safety didactics); Tiger Mfg. Co., Ltd, Misato – one branch of seven facilities across Japan (producer of wild animal repellents and traps).

During the trade mission, the delegation also met with the local authorities of Okinoshima and Misato, and with the Misato seniors in the district community center Onabara, where handcrafts are made using wild boar leather provided by the Ohchi Yamakujira Co.

The trade mission was fruitful and beneficial for all the parties: the entrepreneurs shared their experiences, contacts, views, ideas, good practices and catalogues of products and services. The proof of gaining interest into the Japan market can be seen in the interview held by the local press with the CEO of Las-Kalisz Co LLC in Misato. The joint trade missions to Japan organised by Krotoszyn and Okinoshima will be continued. Stay tuned!

Source: Krotoszyn Town Hall