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Shimpo Weekly News/WUB convenes in Santa Cruz
The Worldwide Uchinanchu Business Network, the international enterprise circle consisting of overseas Okinawans, Okinawans in Japan and Okinawans at heart, held its 6th convention on October 11 in Santa Cruz, Bolivia.
During the three-day meeting, about 180 members representing 11 chapters from nine countries gathered to exchange views, examine exhibitions and to huddle together to talk business.
The convention left delegates with a strong impression that the WUB has opened itself up much further to worldwide contacts.
At the opening ceremony, Marcos Nakata, chair of WUB Bolivia, said, "I would like you to see how hard our ancestors worked to overcome differences in language and values in order to build today's success."
Masamori Goya, chair of WUB International, said, "Our organization has now grown into a body with 21 chapters and almost 500 members. Our task is to create businesses through our network."
Several business deals were struck during the convention. WUB Kansai member Toshinori Kinjo who breeds and sells cattle, made an agreement to import soybeans from CAICO, an agricultural cooperative run by Bolivian Okinawans.
Kinjo intends to import ten tons of soya beans to start with, once he has obtained permission from the Japanese Agriculture Ministry.
The next gathering has been slated for Hawaii in 2003 as the "First World Uchinanchu Conference." Following that, WUB will hold a convention in Kansai in 2004 and Okinawa in 2005.
Thinking in the longer term, the steering committee is considering a joint Brazil-Argentina convention in 2006 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Okinawan emigration to both countries. (Oct 13 am ed)
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