Operation of the EMEA-CIS organization is now in its second year, and I recognize that we have gained a firm grip on expanding our businesses. The many countries in the region we serve are striving to build a prosperous and hopeful future, and teeming with various economic needs and wants. We are unique in that we are based locally in close proximity to fresh and detailed market intelligence, which we can gather and analyse in developing these needs and wants into businesses. To this end, we will place an even greater emphasis on making the most of the staff and business network within our organization. Our mission is also to contribute to the development of the countries and people we serve through our business activities.
Asia and Oceania is the world's fastest growing region, and one that encompasses economies at different growth stages with varying needs. We believe our power of business creation and ability to deliver tailored solutions for diversified business fields will help meet not only diverse needs but changing expectations. With a deep-rooted presence in major and emerging markets, we also seek to develop new businesses through strategic alliance with the region's growing private sector as a reliable partner. We will continue to work passionately to achieve prosperity and realize dreams in the region.
In the Americas, we have focused the investment of our management resources in the four strategic fields of Oil & Gas, Infrastructure, Consumer Products and Services, and Mineral and Food Resources.
In the Oil & Gas field in particular, we are developing diverse businesses ranging from manufacturing, processing, and distribution of oil country tubular goods, providing construction machinery, to developing shale gas and oil, trading gas, and exporting liquefied natural gas (LNG). In November 2013, we acquired the Edgen Group, a global distributor of tubular and steel products for the energy industry, in a bid to further strengthen our earnings base in this field.
In contributing to the Group's sustainable growth, SC Americas will rise to the challenge of staying on top of persistent "innovation and growth."
The East Asia Region has grown into an industrial and technological hub of the world. It is also a promising market where economic growth and social change are constantly giving rise to new needs in all sorts of business fields.
We are an organization with an inside track on the economic pulse of the region. Our goal is to shore up both scale and speed in growing together with our business partners from within and outside East Asia. With this in mind, we are strengthening our business base and functions, and the roles we are expected to play, as we network and collaborate globally to leverage the synergies of the Sumitomo Corporation Group.