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Gwinnett Chamber Economic Development Global Business Connection

Excerpt from: Gwinnett Herald, found here.

March 03, 2010 | 11:41 AM
DULUTH – Gwinnett’s pro-business climate is part of the reason Hong Kong has sought to build business relationships here, according to an economic and trade official speaking to Partnership Gwinnett and the Gwinnett Chamber at the first quarter 2010 Global Business Connection.

Gwinnett hosted Commissioner Donald Tong and the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in the luncheon, which provided an opportunity for Gwinnett business to build relationships with Hong Kong government leaders while showcasing Hong Kong’s strong global economy and its world of business opportunity.

Tong, the luncheon’s keynote speaker, is the most senior representative of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government in North America and oversees the work of the three Hong Kong Economic & Trade offices in Washington, New York and San Francisco.

“Hong Kong seeks to build business relationships with U.S. communities, like Gwinnett and the State of Georgia, because of its pro-business climate and convenient international access,” said Tong. “Our visit to Gwinnett County, GA, has given us the opportunity to not only present Hong Kong’s vision for the future but also to build relationships essential to business development and growth between our respective communities.”

Tong discussed the current business climate in Hong Kong, shared the Administrative Region’s 2010 projects and provided an overview of how Hong Kong works with US businesses to facilitate global development in China.

Gwinnett’s focus on global business stems from its collective economic and community development initiative, Partnership Gwinnett, launched just two short years ago, but responsible for now over 6,500 new jobs and more than $350 million in capital investment for the community. The initiative, led by the Gwinnett Chamber, and supported by over 160 public and private partners including Angel Partners – Gwinnett County and Gwinnett Medical Center – advocates local global business strategy as well as the identification and support of regional and statewide global initiatives.

Chairman Charles Bannister, Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners, said, “Gwinnett County has never before embarked on such a progressive and proactive strategy for global business as it has in recent years. The Partnership Gwinnett initiative has allowed us to drive and direct the future of business in our community, which includes a strong focus on building relationships with international leaders like Commissioner Tong and Hong Kong.”

“Gwinnett is leading the metro Atlanta region in a number of areas including global business development,” said Phil Wolfe, President of Gwinnett Medical Center – a Partnership Gwinnett Angel investor and Gwinnett Chamber Board Member. “This luncheon with Commissioner Tong provided yet another opportunity for local businesses to interact and connect with global leaders from Hong Kong and China – the world’s fastest- growing economy today.”

Gwinnett’s Global Business Connection also offered a preview of the community’s upcoming business mission to China in April. The upcoming trip, open to any and all business professionals seeking global connections and opportunities, will involve business networking, meetings and trade talks in some of China’s most economically renowned cities including Shanghai and Hong Kong. For more information on how you can join us, visit www.gwinnettglobal.com or view our video.

In addition to Commissioner Tong, HKETO delegates at the luncheon included New York Office Director, Monica Chen; New York Office Deputy Director of Media and Public Relations, Kelly So; and Senior Consultant of the Hong Kong Information Center of Atlanta, Gene Hanratty. Additional VIP’s to the luncheon were Gwinnett County Commission Chairman Charles Bannister; Gwinnett County District Commissioner Mike Beaudreau; Gwinnett Medical Center President & CEO Phil Wolfe; Gwinnett Chamber Vice President of Marketing & Public Policy Demming Bass; and Gwinnett Chamber Economic Development & Partnership Gwinnett marketing & pr director, Lisa Sherman.

For more information on the Hong Kong Economic and Trade office, visit www.hongkong.org and for more information on economic development in Gwinnett, visit www.successliveshere.com.

Global Atlanta.com
by: Trevor Williams

Peter Underwood enjoyed a rare treat during a trip to Georgia Feb. 26.

When the director of the state’s South Korea trade office attended the grand opening of Kia Motors‘ West Point automotive factory, he saw the harvest of a seed he helped plant.

Mr. Underwood, who calls his office the “big end of the funnel” for Georgia’s Korean recruitment efforts, seldom sees the final fruits of projects he points to the state.

“It’s not often we get to see the final results,” he told GlobalAtlanta. “It was very nice to be able to be here at the end.”

Mr. Underwood has been working for Georgia in Korea since 1985. Using personal relationships, investment seminars and news reports, he finds companies looking to expand in the U.S. He pitches Georgia and evaluates whether the company’s needs mesh with the state’s advantages. If it seems like a good fit, he passes the project along to the Georgia Department of Economic Development, which has local personnel to see it through.

find the rest of the article here: http://www.globalatlanta.com/article/23785