USPAACC Returns from Successful Asia Trade Mission to China and Taiwan
WASHINGTON, DC | October 12, 2010
The US Pan Asian American Chamber of Commerce Education Foundation (USPAACC) led a delegation of industry leaders, business owners and corporate executives on its 2010 Asia Trade Mission (ATM) to Taipei, Chongqing, Shanghai and Beijing, from September 12 to 22. Wen Chang of Trade Union International and Chester Tong of MSL Express were the co-chairs of the ATM.
The Mission’s theme “Global Strategy for Sustainability: Conserve, Recycle and Renew” focused on sustainable and renewable products, services and processes in these growth markets, plus best practices, and real opportunities with buyers, suppliers and trade partners between U.S.-based companies and businesses in Taiwan and China. The theme emphasized a sense of responsibility toward protecting the environment, and is expected to spawn new business opportunities in resource development, clean energy technologies, and innovation in renewable products and services.
The ATM highlight included a private meeting with Taiwan Vice President Vincent Siew at the Presidential Hall, where he briefed delegates on a landmark bilateral trade agreement with China which came into effect only several days prior to the ATM delegation’s visit. The ATM delegates also had a high-level briefing from officials of Taiwan’s Bureau of Export and Trade on business opportunities there.
In Chongqing, China, the delegates visited the Hewlett Packard (HP China) research plant and learned from the success stories shared by executives from GE, Hisense, Tech-Long and PepsiCo. In Shanghai, the delegates received VIP passes to the World Expo, including visits to the U.S., China and Taiwan pavilions; successful companies such as SIPA, SIDEL, ICG and Alibaba.com also participated in the International CEO Forum and shared their best practices with the delegates.
Beijing was the final stop for the ATM delegates, where they were warmly received by U.S. Embassy Deputy Chief of Mission Robert Goldberg. A reception was held in their honor at Mr. Goldberg’s residence, and attended by economic officers and trade officers from the U.S. Embassy. At the reception, the delegates met with several Chinese middlemen who help businesses penetrate the Chinese market through their high-level and important connections, as well as in-depth knowledge of the regulatory processes involved in doing business in China.
“The purpose of our 2010 ATM was to ‘plant’ the flag and brand U.S.-based businesses as a major player in increased global trade and commerce,” said USPAACC National President & CEO Susan Au Allen. “We also wanted to highlight this region’s burgeoning marketplace and USPAACC’s role in establishing and strengthening strategic business relationships necessary to create a gateway for increased access to myriad business opportunities in the dynamic markets in China and Taiwan.”
Food and beverage company PepsiCo, with a significant presence in China and Taiwan, was a major part of the delegation, which included a select group of procurement executives and business owners from more than 18 U.S.-based companies. The delegation was also composed of businesses from diverse sectors, such as: shipping, packaging, IT, engineering, environmental consulting, and telecommunications, among others. Global companies with operations in China and Taiwan, which hosted the delegation, included PepsiCo, Hisense, SIPA, MSL Express, Topline, ICG Commerce, and Alibaba.com. Other participating corporations in Asia included Cisco, ConAgra Foods, Dase-Sing Group, GE, Hewlett Packard (HP China) and Microsoft.
ATM participants had ample opportunities to meet with local businesses, merchants and counterparts both in China and Taiwan. The one-on-one business matchmaking sessions—held in each city and prearranged between the Asian Business delegation and Taiwanese and Chinese suppliers—created increased access to local resources and connections, while establishing and strengthening strategic business relationships to ensure successful and robust economic growth.
“Having such familiarity and established business connections with Taiwan and China were integral elements for USPAACC to seek and explore more business opportunities in these countries,” added Allen. “The mission was successful because it benefited from the local resources of USPAACC members who were also part of the delegation.”
China recently passed Japan to become the world’s 2nd largest economy behind only the United States. After 30 years of economic reform and 9.5% average annual GDP growth, China is transforming itself from “Factory of the world” to the “Market of the world.” With a 1.3 billion consumer market, and with 15 million prospective new consumers born every year, China offers unlimited opportunities for business expansion. Meanwhile, Taiwan, a significant global player in the information technology (IT) and consumer electronics industries, is also poised to become the next major business and economic hub in the region.
