FirstPathway Weblog

On November 7th, 2012, FirstPathway Partners Chairman Bob Kraft and Director of China Operations Dan Redford visited Ningbo to build relationships between Ningbo and Milwaukee hospitals. They were welcomed by the Ningbo Health Bureau Vice Minister Gai, and toured hospitals throughout the city. The hospitals included: Ningbo Number 2 Hospital, Women’s and Children’s Hospital, and the Li Huili Hospital. We would like to thank Mr. Xu Pingyuan, Deputy Director of the Ningbo Foreign Affairs Office, and Mr. Bangjie He, Representative of Ningbo to Milwaukee, for organizing these visits.

FirstPathway Partners is proud to be a part of the Ningbo – Milwaukee Sister City Partnership

FirstPathway Partners (FPP) was proud to assist Bangjie He, Ambassador of Ningbo to the US, in hosting China Council for the Promotion of International Trade Ningbo Sub-Council (CCPIT) /China Chamber of Commerce Ningbo Chamber (CCOIC) Chairman, Mr. Zheng Wei Gu and Chief of the Ningbo Dept of International Exhibition, Mr. Wei FU.

During their visit to Milwaukee guest’s toured FPP headquarters, the Harley Davidson Museum, and other points of interest around Milwaukee. FPP was honored to host such esteemed guests.

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Milwaukee- On Tuesday March 16, 2010 the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade Ningbo Sub-Council (CCPIT) in joint with the China Chamber of Commerce Ningbo Chamber (CCOIC) finalized a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce ( MMAC ).

In a closed meeting, CCPIT/CCOIC Chairman Zhengwei Gu and MMAC President Tim Sheehy signed an MOU which aims to bridge cultural, trade and economic exchange between Ningbo, China and Milwaukee, USA. Ningbo is Milwaukee’s informal sister city.

Other attendees were the Chief of the Ningbo Department of International Exhibition Mr. Wei FU, Milwaukee Deputy Commissioner Martha Brown, MMAC Vice President Peter Beitzel, Ningbo Ambassador to the United States Bangjie He, FPP Chairman and CEO Bob Kraft, FPP Partner Dick Zagorski, and attorneys Julie Lee and Tom Gehl.

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While in Ningbo for the Zhejiang Investment & Trade Symposium Bob Kraft and Dan Wycklendt were honored to receive a private tour of the province from friend and Senor Ambassador of Ningbo to the United States, Bangjie He. Their tour included a boat ride down the Fenghua River, a site visit to the future home of Milwaukee’s gift to Ningbo (its sister city), and many other historic local sites. During their visit Kraft and Wycklendt were also honored  guests at a private dinner hosted by the Yinzhou District Municipal Government. The two were also treated to an overnight stay at “Gold Beach” hosted by Xiangshan Municipal Government. We would like to thank all our friends in Ningbo for making our stay both memorable and enjoyable.

An estimated 300 guests attended a luncheon honoring local international business leaders during the 45th Annual Wisconsin International Trade Conference. Notable guests included Mayor Tom Barrett, Secretary Leinenkugel, Governor Doyle, The Tianjin Economic-Technical Development Area (TEDA) Delegation, Ying Wang, Bob Kraft, Bangjie He, Tim Sheehy, Gale Klappa and the Chicago Chinese Consulate.

Bob Kraft, China Council Co-Chair, later participated in a closed meeting to discuss the expansion of business between China and Wisconsin. Important relationships cited included sister city Ningbo, sister State/Province Heilongjiang, and the MOU between China and Wisconsin.