What are "Outstanding Technologies from Kobe"? 1. Overview For small- and medium-sized companies in Kobe to expand the market and to promote business cooperation among them, Kobe City and Kobe industrial Promotion Foundation have created the website of "Information on Companies in Kobe Manufacturing Superior Products," accumulating information on approximately 1,000 small- and medium-sized manufacturers in Kobe. Since November 1997, the website has been disseminating the information on them, linked with each company's own website. Kobe has a considerable number of small- and medium-sized manufacturers with the highest-level technologies in Japan, whose products hold a large share in the market. To introduce and publicize their sophisticated, proven technologies throughout Japan, Kobe City and the Foundation established a system to recognize companies who have excellent technology or manufacture excellent products as "Outstanding Technologies from Kobe," and on March 31, 1998, we began to disseminate information on the recognized companies via the Internet. Concerning the selection of recognized companies, we invite applications from companies in general once a year. Recognized companies are selected after applicant companies are surveyed on the spot and are discussed in the screening meeting consisting of expert personnel of learning and experience. 2. Brief History June 1997 Conducted the preliminary survey for the "Outstanding Technologies from Kobe" Website. December 1997 to January 1998 Conducted full-scale and on-the-spot surveys for "Outstanding Technologies from Kobe." January to March 1998 Prepared the contents of "Outstanding Technologies from Kobe." March 1998 Held a meeting to select companies for "Outstanding Technologies from Kobe." March 31, 1998 Opened the Website to provide information on selected companies. March 2006 The number of recognized companies on the site reached 90. For inquires, please contact: Management Support Department Kobe Industrial Promotion Foundation 1-8-4, Higashikawasaki-cho, Chuo-ku, Kobe 650-0044 (Located in Kobe Harborland) Phone: 078-360-3208 Fax: 078-360-1419 Return