Greater Nagoya Initiative (GNI) will offer GNI Business Start-up Support Program for foreign-affiliated companies when foreign firms plan to advance their business in the Greater Nagoya region.

2011 GNI Business Startup Support Program Application Form

1. Applicant

An applicant will be a foreign-affiliated company who plans to advance its business in the Greater Nagoya region and who meets the following criteria.

[Criteria]

(1) Foreign-affiliated company needs to have an investment ratio of 50% or more from outside of Japan.

(2) The company (headquarters) needs to be in operation for more than 1 year.

(3) The company needs to have an official website that introduces its business outline.

(4) The representative person needs to use a business e-mail address, not free e-mail account.

(5) If there is an agent that the company conducts the business through, it needs permission from the agent.

(6) The company is operating a business that is not offensive to public order and morality.

(7) The products or services of the company need to be unique or to have a favorable influence on the regional economy.

(8) The company needs cooperate with Greater Nagoya Initiative activities.

2. Targeted Expenses

Following costs are the targeted expenses to be paid by the GNI Business Start-up Support Program before the establishment of a new head office, branch, or facility.

[1] Costs for procedural requirements for establishing the company in the Greater Nagoya region

Consultation fees and expenses for specialists in company registration and visa applications including legal advisors, judicial scrivener, certified public accountant, licensed tax accountant, administrative consultant, and public consultant on social and labor insurance. (Translation expenses are included)

* Tax and public dues such as the registration and license tax and stamp fees are excluded.

[2] Expenses for personnel recruitment, brokerage costs of an office, or market research etc.

* Tax and public dues such as the registration and license tax and stamp fees are excluded.

In the case of establishing an R&D center, even if the company doesn’t register, GNI will offer incentives in the expenses of 2.–[2] when the Greater Nagoya Initiative (GNI) members decide that the company is beneficial to the region.

3. Total Amount of Incentives

Total amount of incentives GNI will offer is below.

2. – [1] Costs for procedural requirements for establishing the company:

Up to 500,000 yen / company

2. – [2] Expenses for personnel recruitment, brokerage costs of an office, or market research etc.

Up to 500,000 yen / company

4. Application Procedures

The application form attached is to be submitted to the Greater Nagoya Initiative Center (GNIC) before the procedures for company registration take place.

[Process Flow]

(1) Prior Consultation:

-The supporting company and GNIC

(2) Introduction of the program:

-GNIC and JETRO Nagoya (if the company was introduced by JETRO) -> the supporting company

(3) Submission: GNI Business Start-up Support Program and estimates of supporting services

- The supporting company – > GNIC

(4) Screening / Approval for support:

- GNIC, JETRO Nagoya, and GNI members (municipality of the targeted area)

(5) Board of review:

- The supporting company, and GNI members

(6) Notification of results:

- GNIC → the supporting company

(7) Company registration

- The supporting company

(8) Submission: Certified copy of corporate registration

- The company – > GNIC

(9) Submission: Invoice

- Specialists, agency – > GNIC – > Chubu Science and Technology Center

(10) Payment procedure

- Chubu Science and Technology Center

5. Required Documents (Before the company registration take place)

- GNI Business Start-up Support Program

- Expense details (estimates or bill statements)

Estimates or bill statements need to be under the name of the Chubu Science and Technology Center

- Documents to indicate a proof for the investment ratio 50% or more by the foreign-affiliated company

6. Documents to be submitted (After the company registration took place)1)

- Certified copy of corporate registration

- Invoice

Invoice needs to be under the name of the Chubu Science and Technology Center

7. Notes

- A board of review will be held to determine that the supporting company meets the criteria. Applicants need to explain the company outline and business strategy. GNI will not open the details of the board of reviews.

- This program is to offer business start-up support service. Therefore, the organization will not offer cash directly to the company.

- Once the company is supported, the company name and the supported details may be referred in the reports and brochures the GNI publishes. However if public announcement may interfere with the company business activity, such announcements will be held under consideration.