Email  Print

Global Initiatives Council

The Global Initiatives Council works to create employment opportunities throughout Southern California by increasing exports, imports and foreign investment for companies of all sizes, and for the communities in which they conduct business. 

 

NEXT MEETING 


Wednesday, June 19

Guest Speaker:
Noel Massie
UPS, Central California District

9 a.m. Registration
9:30-10:30 a.m. Program

 

L.A. Area Chamber
Click here for directions to the Chamber 

 

2013 MEETING AGENDAS, PRESENTATIONS AND HANDOUTS
April 17 Agenda Packet & Presentation
Feb. 20 Agenda Packet & Presentation
View Archive  



TENTATIVE 2013 DATES

This council meets most third Wednesdays of the month, 9-10:30 a.m. . Meetings will either be at the L.A. Area Chamber or a conference call meeting. The Council will not meet in January, March, May, July, September and December.

DATE Feb. 20
 April 17
 June 19
 Aug. 21
 Oct. 16
 Nov. 13
LOCATION Chamber Chamber Chamber Chamber Chamber Chamber

 

ADVOCACY ISSUES

Free & Fair Trade


The L.A. Area Chamber has actively supported and advocated for the passage of previous Free Trade Agreements, with the belief that trade is not the problem but part of the solution. The Chamber is committed to collaborating with partnering organizations to effectively work together to support the enforcement of trade agreements, protection of intellectual property and promotion of direct foreign investment and constructive dialogue. Read more

 

TRADE INTELLIGENCE BRIEF

Twice a month, the L.A. Area Chamber produces a brief that includes trade news from around the world. The brief is a Global Trades Council exclusive email that is later available online. Read more

RESEARCH PROJECTS

Access to key information and resources is one of the tools that the Council strives to provide its members. Under the leadership of Dr. Anatoly Zhuplev, professor at Loyola Marymount University and Council Co-chair, a team of LMU students are compiling research for pertinent topics. Below are some of the research papers:

Advancing California’s Competitiveness through International Trade: Exploring Best Trade-Supporting Programs and Practices
Megan Hoffman, Kelly Pasek and Jasmine Quezada

This paper explores the role of trade in California’s growth and development. An assessment is conducted of the state’s government trade programs and their ability enhance California’s competitiveness in the global market. The State’s trade infrastructure remains competitive in the global market, and international trade is still very much an integral component of the economy. However, California is experiencing a decline in its appeal as a trade partner, largely due to the absence of a centralized government agency to promote foreign trade. The lack of government representation for business interests in California is producing a commercial climate that is becoming increasingly antagonistic to foreign trade. Consequently, Sacramento must observe and adopt other state’s examples of trade-supporting agencies. Lastly, the state government must reform its corporate tax code if it wishes to remain competitive in the country and world. Read more

An Analysis of Economic Development Programs and Best Practices for Southern California
Matthew Seccombe

This paper is a survey of both foreign and domestic programs, policies, and strategies whose purposes are to stimulate trade, create business-friendly climates, and find a set of best practices.  Asian countries, such as Japan and South Korea, have agencies that offer consultation to facilitate trade for their countries’ products, provide opportunities for investment, and offer business matching making services. Within the United States, President Obama’s National Export Initiative strives to get SMEs to export, expand into other markets, and provide trade financing.  Other state governments have their own trade initiatives to aid in economic development for important industries within their state.  California’s trade initiative programs are not as effective compared to these others.  Sacramento can adopt practices from these other programs by developing: trade offices, economic zones, export councils, and industry cluster databases. Read more

The following white papers were compiled by Kevin Bell, Research Intern, Global Economics, sponsored by Venture Strategies Innovations:

Brazil: The Economic Implications

Brazil is under great pressure to modernize and upgrade its infrastructure in time for the World Cup and Olympics.  In addition, if Brazil is to maintain its economic growth it must invest in its ports, rail system, and roads which are in poor conditions.  Brazil cannot compete effectively in international trade if these problems are not fixed.  In the medium-term, Brazil will move from a developing nation to a developed one.  However, much of its population still lacks access to clean water and sewage.  California businesses can help Brazil answer these obstacles due to its experience solving these issues.  Brazil provides a great investment opportunities in the short and medium-terms.  Californian businesses are better off entering the Brazilian market in a joint venture in order to help it navigate the complex regulatory and tax systems. Read more

To read more of Kevin's work, including white papers on intellectual property rights, trans-pacific partnership, and the implications of the KORUS FTA, please visit our advocacy page.