This past
June 23rd, SATDA was proud to host a conference with
Mr. Manuel A. Rosales as the keynote speaker. Mr. Rosales
is the Assistant Administrator for International Trade
at the US Small Business Administration - an organization
dedicated to providing small businesses the tools and
access to financial sources they need to succeed in
today's world. For the past 50 years the SBA, in the
words of Mr. Rosales, "has been aiding small businesses
become large businesses." The SBA is also a doorway
that helps small businesses get government contracts.
Each year the United States government buys more than
$240,000,000,000 worth of goods and services and 25%
of that amount must come from small businesses. Joint-venture
Chinese-American enterprises can access this vast potential
market, and SATDA and the SBA are poised to help.
Some of SBA's
notable successes are Intel, Apple Computers, Nike,
Outback Steakhouse, FedEx, and Compaq computers. These
are examples of where the SBA was able to provide information
on how to grow small businesses, as well as, the financing
to get them off the ground. Each is now a global success,
and many are leaders in their respective fields.
Mr. Rosales
also discussed how the SBA's relationship with the CCPIT
could help with two-way trade. For instance, through
trade missions the SBA and CCPIT can promote the exchange
of ideas and knowledge - allowing American and Chinese
companies to learn best practices from each other. SATDA
is pleased to participate and contribute to the success
of such future trade missions.
Also, presenting
at the conference were Raja Magasweran, the Managing
Director of China Business Associates, Inc., Andrew
Rodriguez, the Chairman & CEO of ACT Inc., and Lee Shrout,
the President of Ascot Chase, Inc. These three Sino-US
trade specialists invited by SATDA to speak at the conference
shared valuable and insightful information on the benefits
and difficulties of trade with China. Their years of
experience in the Chinese market and abroad have made
them respected leaders in the field of international
trade. SATDA was proud to host them, as well as, Mr.
Manual Rosales from the U.S. SBA at the conference.
Lastly, SATDA
would like to acknowledge the many business and political
leaders who accepted our invitation and attended the
conference. We at SATDA would especially like to acknowledge
Mayor Liu Yuxiang who traveled from his city of ZaoZhuang
in the Shandong Province to attend and participate in
SATDA's conference.