Consuls and honorary consuls open Alaska to world; twenty have been appointed by the government they represent to improve relati

International business plays an important role in the growth and diversification of Alaska's economy. Last year, exports from Alaska to overseas markets totaled $3.6 billion and are expected to increase this year as higher prices and strong demand for natural resources and seafood propel the state's export performance to record levels.

These exports create and maintain thousands of direct and indirect jobs across the state. Workers in these industries garner wages that are generally higher than those whose employment is tied solely to the domestic economy. Without question, international trade, investment and tourism play a significant role in Alaska's economic well-being.

BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS

It should be noted, however, that Alaska's relationships with its major trading partners, as well as many other countries where business ties are less robust, involve more than just exports. There are important cultural ties that promote expanded awareness and understanding between Alaskans and the people of these nations. Building relationships is one of the major tasks of the foreign government consuls and honorary consuls based in Alaska.

Twenty different countries have some sort of representation in Alaska. At present, two nations--Japan and Canada--have full-time, civil-service diplomats working from their government offices in Anchorage. Japan, Alaska's long-time No. 1 trading partner, established its presence in Anchorage beginning in 1970. Responding to budgetary challenges, the Japanese scaled back its Alaska presence in January of this year, changing the status of its office from a Consulate-General to a Consular Office. In making this decision, leaders there stressed the importance of the Alaska-Japan relationship and indicated they would do everything possible to maintain the same level of service to further advance the relationship. The Consular Office is headed by Consul Yoshio Uchiyama. In addition, there are two vice consuls and support staff.

In August 2004, the Canadian government opened its Consulate in Anchorage. Canada is currently Alaska's fourth largest trading partner and an important investor in the state's natural resource development. The opening of the office was part of a major expansion of U.S. representation for the Canadians in 2004 that also saw new offices opened in San Diego, Denver, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Houston and Raleigh during the same year. The Canadian Consulate is led by Consul Karen Matthias. Her staff includes Rudy Brueggeman who serves as the political, economic relations and public affairs officer. The Consulate focuses on building strong business and political ties with Alaska while consular activities, such as passport and visa-related matters, are handled by the Canadian Consulate General Office in Seattle.

South Korea, Alaska's second-largest export market, maintained a Consulate-General in Anchorage for nearly two decades (1980 to 1999), but its office fell victim to budget reductions following the Asian Economic Crisis of '97 to '98. In early 1999, South Korean leaders closed the Anchorage office and appointed local attorney William Bittner to serve as its honorary consul.

In addition to Korea, 17 other countries are represented in Alaska by honorary consuls. These citizen diplomats are typically prominent Alaskan residents who were born in the country they represent, have ancestral roots, or who have worked in their professional life to build closer ties between Alaska and the country. Nations with honorary consul representation in Alaska are: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Finland, France, Germany, Great Britain, Iceland, Italy, Korea, Mexico, Norway, Poland, Russian Federation, Seychelles, Spain, and Sweden.

BECOMING A CONSUL

There is a two-step process to becoming an honorary consul. First, the individual is appointed by the government he or she is to represent and then the appointment is confirmed by the U.S. Department of State. Duties are voluntary and their level of activity varies greatly based on a number of factors, including the extent of commercial activity between Alaska and the represented country and the number of travelers visiting Alaska from the country represented. The honorary consuls are often an important point of contact to provide assistance to visitors from their country, providing language ability and direct access to the government of the visitor in situations that may involve hospitals, the police or other circumstances that require help of some kind. They also, of course, work to build closer business ties between Alaska and the country they represent.

As a group, the consuls and honorary consuls who serve in Alaska do much to advance a more internationally focused state and facilitate both commercial and cultural ties. At World Trade Center Alaska, we work closely with these representatives as we carry out our mission of helping Alaskans to compete successfully for trade and investment in the global market place. A complete listing of the consuls and honorary consuls (with addresses) can be found at the Trade Center's Web site: www.wtcak.org

Consuls (All of Anchorage)

Honorary Consuls (All of Anchorage)

Yoshio Uchiyama

Consul, Head of Office

Consular Office of Japan

Consul Karen Matthias

Consulate of Canada

Honorary Consul Walter J. Hickel Jr.

Consulate of Austria

Honorary Consul Carl F. Brady Jr.

Consulate of Belgium

Honorary Consul Frank Nosek

Consulate of the Czech Republic

Honorary Consul Grant Callow

Royal Danish Consulate

Honorary Consul Wayne A. Stolt

Consulate of Finland

Honorary Consul Marc LaRose

Agence Consulaire de France

Honorary Consul Bernd C. Guetschow

Consulate of the Republic of Germany

Honorary Consul Bjartmar Bart Sveinbjornsson

Consulate of Iceland

Honorary Vice Consul Vittorio Montemezzani

Consulate of Italy

Honorary Consul William H. Bittner

Consulate of the Republic of Korea

Honorary Consul Lina B. Mariscal

Consulate of Mexico

Honorary Consul Anton Z. Meyer

Royal Norwegian Consulate

Honorary Consul Start Borucki

Consulate of Poland

Honorary Consul Steve R. Smirnoff

Russian Federation

Honorary Consul Harold Green

Republic of Seychelles

Honorary Vice Consul Robert Gonzalez

Consulate of Spain

Honorary Consul Edward Rasmuson

Consulate of Sweden

British Honorary Consul Diddy R.M. Hitchins

British Consulate

Greg Wolf is executive director of the World Trade Center Alaska.

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