International Focus Magazine Prototype Edition | Page 48

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JW: Since we organize a plethora
of inbound and outbound trade
missions, training, and activities, we
wanted to set up an annual event
celebrating international trade. This
year HITDC is hosting its 3rd annual
Global Seven (G7) Awards scheduled
to take place on May 19th, 2016 at
the Petroleum Club of Houston.
G7 Awards are presented to seven
Currently Chinese investors are small and medium enterprises in
seeking to invest in the US real estate the categories of Outstanding Corpomarket and in oil fields because of rate Citizenship, Outstanding Advocate,
the current dip in prices. HITDC is Outstanding Non-Profit Organization,
expanding its support offerings, such Excellence in Importing, Excellence in
as hosting a business matchmaking Exporting, Excellence in International
conference – the US-China Innova- Service, and Rising International Star.
tion and Investment Summit – aimed We also award seven international
at collecting information from US student scholarships. We work tocompanies looking for investors and gether with the Houston Commuinternational partners. Many Chi- nity College to select the recipients.
nese investors and investor groups, I myself was an international student
especially in the healthcare industry, while I was pursuing my MBA at
also want to approach Houston. In- the University of Houston, but right
vestors are seeking projects in which now I am fortunate to be quite acthey can invest money in and which tive in the community and want to
can help open up the Chinese mar- give back and help. That is why we
decided to grant scholarships to inket.
ternational students – to assist them
in assimilating in the culture, gaining
Katia: Tell us about the upcoming
Global Seven (G7) Awards hosted recognition from the local community, and to assist them in building
by the HITDC.
relationships and hopefully doing
Awards. A lot of our members and
partners also have an increasing number of personalized requests which
we are focused on fulfilling this year.
For example, we are helping some oil
service companies set up trade shows
in China and are enabling them to
talk to Chinese Business Directors
and federal customers.

48 iF Magazine | June 2016

business with this same community
one day. The seven scholarships are
awarded to students from the regions
of Europe, North Africa and the
Middle East, Asia, South Asia, SubSaharan Africa, North American,
Central America and the Caribbean,
and South America.

Katia: Is there anything we have
not discussed that you would like
to address?
JW: Over the years I am noticing
Houston becoming more and more
international. Fifteen years ago when
I came to Houston, Chinese people
were not familiar with the city, but
right now talking to people in China,
they know of Houston. Everything
that happens here in Houston is
broadcast internationally and people
all over the world track recent developments in this region.
That is why we all need to continually do our part in creating a global
city with a better functioning international business environment. We
have a vast international population,
almost 100 consulates, and a lot of
foreigners here to study and work.
That’s why the HITDC is here to
help. It is our duty.