FirstPathway Weblog

Tuesday, May 10, 2011- Bob Kraft Chairman and CEO of FirstPathway Partners was chosen to moderate two sessions at the 47^th annual Wisconsin International Trade Conference.

During the sessions, Kraft commended the efforts of Milwaukee Mayor, Tom Barrett in expanding international trade, particularly with China. In his speech, the mayor encouraged efforts to further increase international trade and investment in our community, citing his support for EB5. The mayor expressed excitement for such projects as the Marriott which is seeking EB5 financing through FirstPathway Partners.  Mayor Barrett has also dubbed the summer of 2011 “The Summer of China,” featuring the US Table Tennis Open and The Milwaukee Art Museum’s, The Emperor’s Private Paradise: Treasures from the Forbidden City.  Several Chinese delegations are scheduled to visit Milwaukee throughout the summer.

In conjunction with the Wisconsin International Trade Conference,  FirstPathway Partners also attended the Wisconsin Export Awards luncheon where Wisconsin Governor, Scott Walker addressed International business leaders. The Governor’s key message to investors and entrepreneurs was that Wisconsin is open for business. Wisconsin has added 24,000 jobs in the past 3 months, leading the country in new job creation. FirstPathway Partners is committed to driving job creation in Target Employment Areas across Wisconsin.

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Wednesday, May 4 – Bob Kraft, Chairman and CEO of FirstPathway Partners/Co-chair of the MMAC China Council joined Milwaukee Mayor, Tom Barrett in welcoming representatives of the US Olympic Committee and USA Table Tennis Federation during a recent site visit.

Milwaukee is honored to hosts The USA Table Tennis Federation’s US Open tournament featuring 700 elite table tennis athletes from 15 countries. The open takes place at the Frontier Airlines Convention Center, June 30 through July 4 during Milwaukee’s “Summer of China.”

The Open is politically significant in that it marks the 40th anniversary of “ping pong diplomacy,” a 1971 Beijing table tennis exhibition which helped open trade and diplomacy between the US and China. A Chinese delegation which includes several original “ping pong diplomacy” competitors is scheduled to appear.

Milwaukee’s “Summer of China,” also includes The Milwaukee Art Museum’s summer series, The Emperor’s Private Paradise: Treasures from the Forbidden City, 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 and historic tournament.

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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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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FirstPathway Partners would like to thank the former Consul General, Huang Ping for his continued commitment to enhancing ties between Wisconsin and China.  His friendship over the past 3 years has been an everlasting source of pride for all of us.

FirstPathway Partners would also like to welcome Guoqiang Yang, the new Consul General of the People’s Republic of China to the region.  Guoqiang Yang comes to the consulate from a post as Deputy Chairman of the Shanghai Municipal Commission of Commerce (SCOFCOM). We look forward to a long and fruitful relationship with him and his staff.

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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CEO and Chairman of  FirstPathway Partners Bob Kraft was recently featured in a Washington Post article about the ways in which Wisconsin has embraced cooperation and trade with China. In the article Kraft gives a positive outlook on the mutually beneficial relationship between China and Milwaukee. Mr Kraft is also the co-chair of the MMAC China Council.

Click here to read the Washington Post article

Bob Kraft  FirstPathway Chairman and CEO joins Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle on a trade mission to Shanghai and Beijing this week. Jon Huntsman, United States Ambassador to China will host the delegation at his residence tomorrow to discuss investment and trade between China and Wisconsin.

This Friday at the Grand Hyatt Beijing, Bob Kraft will present on the topic of EB5 during a business strategy & opportunities seminar hosted by the mission entitled “Introducing Wisconsin”. Guests are by mission invitation only.

Doyle and delegation are also to meet with the Ministry of Commerce, China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT), the Ministry of Science and Technology, Party Secretary Sun Chao, and Officials of the Minhang District of Shanghai.

During his trip to the Pacific Rim Kraft plans to visit FirstPathway offices, partners and agents though out China and South Korea.

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On Wednesday April, 1^st 2009 Zhang Yingxin, Deputy Director General, of the Investment Promotion Agency of the Ministry of Commerce for the Peoples Republic of China (CIPA), was proud to announce the successful results yielded by its 2007 memorandum of understanding with Wisconsin. The CIPA’s charge is to engage the Chinese investment promotion process through foreign direct investment both in and from China.

In her recent letter to Wisconsin Department of Commerce Secretary Leinenkugel, Yingxin commented on the importance of “coordinating international efforts and enhancing cooperation” especially in times of economic turmoil. Yingxin also cited ties between allies, like Wisconsin and China, as vital in such times. China is Wisconsin’s third largest trading partner.

Later this month Governor Doyle, Secretary Leinenkugel, and our own Bob Kraft will meet with the CIPA delegation to discuss investment synergies and perform local field visits. The state of Wisconsin is honored to host such an influential and cooperative economic partner.