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John Hailer Testifies Before Massachusetts Joint Committee on Economic Development & Emerging Technologies

Dépèche transmise le 17 février 2012 par Business Wire

John Hailer Testifies Before Massachusetts Joint Committee on Economic Development & Emerging Technologies

BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--John Hailer, president and chief executive officer of Natixis Global Asset Management – The Americas & Asia, told Massachusetts lawmakers on Thursday that better airline connections and flight routes with global economic centers are important tools for growing the economy.

“And when states like Massachusetts show a commitment to that, it translates into a real commitment to growing our economy on a national and global scale.”

In his testimony to the Massachusetts Joint Committee on Economic Development & Emerging Technologies, Hailer said the development of infrastructure to move people and goods efficiently around the world “is probably the most important role that government serves in cultivating an environment for economic growth.”

Hailer, who also serves as chairman of the New England Council, praised the recent announcement by the Massachusetts Port Authority and Japan Airlines (JAL) of direct, non-stop flight service from Boston to Tokyo.

“First-class infrastructure – not just roads and bridges, but tools of commerce like the service out of Logan International Airport – is a critical ingredient to being competitive on a global scale,” Hailer testified. “And when states like Massachusetts show a commitment to that, it translates into a real commitment to growing our economy on a national and global scale.”

Hailer told committee members, during a hearing on Gov. Deval Patrick’s economic development plan, that the direct connection to Tokyo benefits key Massachusetts industries such as life sciences, higher education and financial services, while encouraging Japanese companies to do business in the Commonwealth and to relocate high skilled workers to Massachusetts.

“The Tokyo flight is a great accomplishment. And I commend the Administration for prioritizing an initiative to pursue additional non-stop service between Boston and economic centers across the globe,” Hailer said.

He said the time savings is also a highly valuable commodity for companies, including Natixis Global Asset Management, with business relationships and assets in Japan and elsewhere on the Pacific Rim.

Hailer said private sector companies, non-profits and leading universities should all be committed to making the case for more direct international non-stop flights to cities such as Shanghai and Mumbai, which complement key Massachusetts industries.

“This new flight service is a real incentive to maintain and increase commerce between Tokyo and Boston. But the connection goes beyond the two cities alone,” Hailer said. “More efficient points of connection between U.S. cities and key overseas markets will help fuel our nation’s economy.”

About Natixis Global Asset Management, S.A.

Natixis Global Asset Management, S.A. is one of the 15 largest asset managers in the world based on assets under management.¹ Its affiliated asset management companies provide investment products that seek to enhance and protect the wealth and retirement assets of both institutional and individual investor clients. Its proprietary distribution network helps package and deliver its affiliates’ products around the world. Natixis Global Asset Management, S.A. brings together the expertise of multiple specialized investment managers based in Europe, the United States and Asia to offer a wide spectrum of equity, fixed-income and alternative investment strategies.

Headquartered in Paris and Boston, Natixis Global Asset Management, S.A.’s assets under management totaled $705 billion (€525 billion) as of September 30, 2011. Natixis Global Asset Management, S.A. is part of Natixis. Listed on the Paris Stock Exchange, Natixis is a subsidiary of BPCE, the second-largest banking group in France. Natixis Global Asset Management, S.A.’s affiliated investment management firms and distribution and service groups include: Absolute Asia Asset Management; AEW Capital Management; AEW Europe; AlphaSimplex Group; Aurora Investment Management; Capital Growth Management; Caspian Capital Management; Darius Capital Partners; Gateway Investment Advisers; H2O Asset Management; Hansberger Global Investors; Harris Associates; IDFC Asset Management Company; Loomis, Sayles & Company; Natixis Asset Management; Natixis Multimanager; Ossiam; Reich & Tang Asset Management; Snyder Capital Management; and Vaughan Nelson Investment Management.

¹Cerulli Quantitative Update: Global Markets 2011, based on December 31, 2010 AUM of $713 billion.