FirstPathway Weblog

FirstPathway Partners (FPP) would like to thank the thousands of agents and investors who joined us for the Invest in America 2011 Guangzhou Summit.  During the summit, industry experts including featured keynote speaker Bob Kraft, FPP Chairman and CEO, shared insight into the dynamic EB5 program. Hundreds of summit participant attended “The Challenges of EB5” and “Choosing Your EB5 Partner” hosted by Kraft.  In addition the Chairman joined world renowned EB5 expert Brian Su in hosting a forum entitled “Where will the Chinese wealth go? Investors’ choice matters.”  To learn more about the material presented in any of the chairman’s workshops contact us at info@firstpathway.com.

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VANCOUVER- On Monday, February 21, 2011 Bob Kraft, Chairman and CEO of FirstPathway Partners attended the launch of the CKF hosted by Canadian Prime Minister, Stephen Harper. The foundation will serve to further strengthen economic, social and political ties between Canada and South Korea. Notable guests included Senator Yonah Kim-Martin Canada’s first parliamentarian of Korean origin, Jason Kenney Minister of Citizenship Immigration and Multiculturalism and one of the largest showings of Senators/Cabinet Ministers to any ethnic event.

According to a press release from the Prime Minister’s Office, South Korea is currently Canada’s seventh-largest trading partner with two-way merchandise trade reaching $9.5 billion in 2009.

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FirstPathway Partners (FPP) is proud to announce its sponsorship of the Invest in America 2011 Guangzhou Summit, Saturday March 19 – Sunday March 20, 2011. During the summit, industry experts including featured keynote speaker Bob Kraft, FPP Chairman and CEO, will share insight into the dynamic EB5 program. In addition summit participant will be eligible to attend an exclusive seminar hosted by the Chairman himself. Join thousands of business executives, investors and migration agents in attending the Invest in America 2011 Guangzhou Summit, this spring.

The summit will be this year’s largest American investment exhibition in China. The two-day exhibition will take place at the five-star Guangzhou Grand Hyatt Hotel’s first-class exhibition hall. In addition to visiting individual booths, attendees will have an opportunity to attend seminars, workshops, and private meetings with FirstPathway Partners.

For more information about the Summit, log on http://investAmerica2011.org.

Bob Kraft, Chairman and CEO of FirstPathway Partners (FPP), has returned from another successful trip to China where he greeted agents and promoted new projects.

Kraft also ventured to Hong Kong to meet with FPP’s escrow agents at J.P. Morgan Chase. During meetings, Kraft praised the current EB5 escrow account model, which facilitates the flow of investor funds, citing high investor confidence and security.

Bob Kraft would like to take this opportunity wish all of his friends, clients and associates a Happy Lunar New Year.

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Bob Kraft, Chairman/CEO of FirstPathway Partners and Co-Chair of the MMAC China Council, joins advisory committee and Milwaukee Art Museum curators in planning public events to enhance this summer’s unprecedented exhibits. For the first time ever the Milwaukee Art Museum will present four separate exhibitions of Chinese art.

June 11 through September 12, 2011, The Milwaukee Art Museum proudly presents The Emperor’s Private Paradise: Treasures from the Forbidden City, featuring the contents of the Qianlong Emperor’s private retreat. Milwaukee is honored to be one of few cities selected to host this never before seen exhibition.

In addition to The Emperor’s Private Paradise: Treasures from the Forbidden City Milwaukee will also relish Modern Chinese Ink Paintings from the Chu-tsing Li Collection, installations from contemporary Chinese artist Zhan Wang and The Conley Collection of Chinese Art.

To celebrate this unparalleled year of exhibitions, Milwaukee Mayor, Tom Barrett has declared the summer of 2011: The Summer of China.

Learn More About The Milwaukee Art Museum

Tuesday, November 16 2010- The MMAC China Business Council hosted a reception in honor of newly appointed Consul General of China in Chicago, General Yang Guoqiang at Marquette University’s law school. Bob Kraft Chairman/CEO of FirstPathway Partners, co-chairs The MMAC China Business Council with fellow China business enthusiast Ulice Payne Jr.

Event speakers included Martha Brown City of Milwaukee Deputy Commissioner, Pete Beitzel MMAC Vice President, Linda Salchenberger Marquette Dean and the Consul General himself Yang Guoqiang. During his remarks, the Consul General discussed the economy at length emphasizing his commitment to expanding exports from the region. China is currently Milwaukee’s 3rd largest trading partner.

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Tuesday, September 28 2010- Wisconsin Governor, Jim Doyle signed a “collaborative trade agreement” with Shaanxi Governor, Zhao Zhengyong, during a weeklong trade mission to China. Wisconsin is excited to extend cooperation and exchange with the Shaanxi province.

FirstPathway Partners, Chairman and CEO, Bob Kraft also traveled to Xi’an, Shaanxi’s capital city, last week to encourage cooperation with the province.

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Wednesday June 9, 2010- This week the Milwaukee delegation visited Ningbo, China to participate in an international trade exhibition and meet with local officials. Ningbo and Milwaukee have been unofficial sister cities since 2006.

During their visit the delegation meet with Deputy Party Secretary Yijun Tang, 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 officers of the Ningbo Municipal Government and Foreign Affairs Office.

Throughout meetings Yijun Tang focused on the rapid growth of cooperative initiatives between Ningbo and Milwaukee since becoming sister cities in 2006.

The Milwaukee delegation, led by Martha Brown, Deputy Commissioner of City Development and Bob Kraft, MMAC China Council Co-Chair and Chairman/CEO of FirstPathway Partners would like to thank all of their friends in Ningbo for their gracious hospitality.

Click here to read the Ningbo Daily article

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With monthly trips to the Pacific Rim, a long standing post as Co-Chair of the MMAC China Council and a position on the Board of Directors at publicly traded Beijing TriTech; it has become readily apparent that Asia is in Bob Kraft’s blood . Examination of his family tree shows that he is not alone; Kraft’s relatives also have a focus on Asia.

Redford Represents US at Shanghai World Expo

Kraft’s cousin Dan Redford, will represent the United States in the Shanghai World Expo. Redford was chosen from more than 1,000 applicants for this prestigious honor because of his ability to speak mandarin and his vast knowledge of Chinese culture.

The Shanghai World Expo is a showcase of economic, scientific, technological and cultural innovation, slated to take place May 1 to Oct 31, 2010. An estimated 70 million people from all over the world are expected to attend the six-month event.

During his trip Redford looks to “capture what the Expo has to say about America and China’s place in the world, in terms of innovation, economic might and cultural vitality.”

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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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