FirstPathway Weblog

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.

The Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce (MMAC) China Business Council was honored to host the distinguished and admired Ambassador of China to the United States, Zhou Wenzhong, and the Consul General of China in Chicago, Huang Ping, during its annual Chinese New Year Reception on Monday, February 9. Over 75 invited guests and dignitaries gathered to celebrate the Lunar New Year with delicious Jiăozi, stimulating speeches and striking Chinese calligraphy scrolls.

Among the speakers was Ambassador Zhou Wenzhong, who spoke highly of his visit to Milwaukee. It was obvious that this event symbolized the not only the meeting of East and west but the solidification of China’s connection to SE Wisconsin.

MMAC China Business Council Co-Chairs Ulice Payne and First Pathway Partners’ Bob Kraft, were honored to present the Ambassador with Milwaukee keepsakes. During the event local business leaders were also given to opportunity to speak with the Ambassador. When asked about his conversations with the Ambassador FPP’s VP of Compliance, Dan Wycklendt said that he had never met a man so noble and humble.

While in Milwaukee the Ambassador and the Consul General also enjoyed a Bucks/Rockets game hosted by the MMAC China Council. The game featured Chinese Native, Western Conference All star, Yao Ming.  

We are proud here at FirstPathway Partners to have launched the Chinese version of our site. With over 60% of EB-5 participantscoming from China, we have taken the steps to make sure that our program is as accessible and simple as possible for everyone, including those in China. We hope that by adding this feature to our website, many potential investors will have better access to the information and services we provide. To access the Chinese version of the page just click on the China flag in the upper right of the screen as shown on the graphic below.

Our trip to China was very successful. In Shanghai we met with five Immigration Agencies .These agencies represent Chinese citizens who have a desire to immigrate into another country. There is growing interest in China to pursue immigration into the United States. The US EB-5 program is a great vehicle that enables qualified individuals to secure a permanent Green Card, and then, after three years, qualify for US Citizenship. With our partner Scott Harrison and his Shanghai based staff we negotiated contracts with three of the Immigration Agencies. These partnerships will result in FirstPathway Partners having a strong, proactive, business development reach into the robust China market.

Our visit to Ningbo was very fruitful. Milwaukee, Wisconsin and Ningbo, China have formed a Sister City relationship. Over the past two years, both cities have exchanged delegations to pursue mutually beneficial business relationships. We participated, as representatives from Milwaukee, in the 10^th Annual Zhejiang Investment & Trade Symposium, and the 7^th Annual China International Consumer Goods Fair. Discussions revolved around numerous opportunities for Ningbo and Milwaukee. Ningbo is sending a delegation to Milwaukee on July 21^st. We, along with all of our Milwaukee associates, look forward to hosting them and continuing productive dialogues.  

FirstPathway partners and the Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce are excited to welcome the delegates from Ningbo for the 2008 Ningbo/Milwaukee Business Cooperation Trade Conference.  All are welcome at this conference taking place at the Wyndham Milwaukee Airport Hotel on July 22nd.  Please plan on attending this relationship building event with our Sister-City in China.  Below is the event information.

2008 Ningbo Municipal Government & Economic Cooperation Hosted by Ningbo Municipal People’s Government Undertaken by Ningbo Foreign Trade & Economic Cooperation Bureau Supported by Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce
Event Dates and Times:	7/22/2008 09:30AM – 02:00PM
Location:	The Wyndham Milwaukee Airport Hotel and Convention Center 4747 South Howell Avenue Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53207 USA (414) 481.8000
Event Fees:	$0 – All are welcome
Description:	This conference will be led by Vice Mayor of Ningbo Mr. Wu Hemin and will consist of more than 30 government officials, business executives and dignataries from Ningbo. The conference will present the latest developments and business opportunities in Ningbo.AGENDA 9:30 PM – 10:00 PM Registration10:00 PM – 10:10 PM Introduction of distinguished guests10:10 PM – 10:20 PM Comments from the General Consulate of the P.R.China in Chicago10:20 PM – 10:30 PM Welcome by Mickey Judkins, State of Wisconsin Department of Commerce, Martha Brown, Milwaukee Department of City Development and Tim Sheehy, MMAC 10:30 PM – 10:50 PM Mr.Wu Hemin, Vice Mayor of Ningbo Introducing Ningbo: The latest in development and economic cooperation 10:50 PM – 11:10 PM Introduction of the Ningbo Cixi Economic Development Zone 11:10 PM – 11:25 PM Introduction of Ningbo information industry 11:25 PM – 12:00 PM Question and answer session 12:00 PM – 12:30 PM Lunch (provided) 12:30 PM – 12:50 PM Comments by Tim Sheehy, MMAC and video introduction of Milwaukee in Chinese 12:50 PM – 1:20 PM Introduction of Ningbo Meishan Free Trade Port 1:20 PM – 2:00 PM Business networking and discussion. Four booths will be available for: Ningbo Municipal Bureau of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation Ningbo Information industry Ningbo Cixi Economic Development Zone Ningbo Meishan Free Trade Port
Contact Person:	KATIE HENRY (414) 287.4123 khenry@mmac.org