Mayor Rybak to Lead City Trade Mission to Japan
Trip Planned to Bolster City’s Growing Life Sciences and Biotech Industry
Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak is leading an economic trade mission to Ibaraki, Japan to bolster the city’s growing life sciences and biotechnology industry and strengthen ties in one of Minneapolis’ most significant Sister City relationships. Mayor Rybak will be joined on the trip by City Council President Barbara Johnson, Council Member Lisa Goodman, Council Member Scott Benson, city economic development staff and a dozen business partners. The delegation leaves Minneapolis today and will remain in Japan for a week, returning on September 21.
“The life sciences are Minneapolis’ largest industry and our medical and health companies continue to flourish,” Rybak said. “This economic trade mission will allow us to strengthen our ties with Ibaraki and create new economic opportunities for each or our two cities’ growing medical industries. As home to three of the highest ranking hospitals in the country and a growing life sciences hub, Minneapolis knows well the economic as well as personal value of health.”
While in Japan, the delegation will attend an international business forum promoting the expansion of biotechnology and related life science industries. The forum will be hosted in Japan’s Osaka region, which is home to a cluster of bioresearch and life science industry. The delegation will visit a number of leading biomedical research institutes and industry innovators in hopes of building business partnerships for Minneapolis-based companies.
Minneapolis’ Lifesciences Corridor has long been a center of medicine, research and innovation. The Corridor extends from downtown along Chicago Avenue, Portland Avenue and 11th Avenue stretching from the Hennepin County Medical Center at 6th street, to Abbott Northwestern Hospital and the Midtown Exchange at Lake Street. In total, the Corridor contains 19 health and medical institutions and 61 research and clinical labs, many of which collaborate with University of Minnesota researchers.
As Minneapolis’ largest industry, the life sciences are central to the City’s continued economic growth and distinction as a creative technology hub. Popular Science magazine last year rated Minneapolis as the top city for technology. A 2005 study by Milken Institute's Life Sciences Index rated Minneapolis the 8th most vibrant life sciences cluster and the medical devices industry leader.
Minneapolis’ Sister City relationship with Ibaraki, Japan began in 1980 and is one of the City’s oldest and strongest international connections. Last fall a delegation of Ibaraki City officials visited Minneapolis and offered to host Mayor Rybak and city leaders in return.
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