Suzhou, China

The historical strategic partnership and sister-city agreement signed June 16, 2010 between the Latin Business Association, the Southern California Cities of Downey, Bell Gardens and Huntington Park and The People’s Government of Wuzhong District, Suzhou, China at the elegant VIP invitational reception: “LBA Building International Partnerships”, held at the Millennium Biltmore Hotel in Los Angeles, California was the culmination of three separate visits to China beginning in February 2010 by a group of enterprising businessmen and civic leaders led by LBA Chairman Ruben Guerra.

Declaration by the Latin Business Association and Wuzhong District, Suzhou, China:

The Latin Business Association was established in 1976 as a non-profit organization and is the country’s largest Latino business entity by virtue of total active membership and overall outreach to Latino business owners in the state of California.

For over thirty years, the Latin Business Association celebrates its commitment to business growth, advancement, empowerment and economic development by providing advocacy, education, training and local and international business opportunities to the Latino Business Community and for the small business community at large.

The Latin Business Association delivers innovative programs and services that lead to the success and prosperity of Latino business owners locally, nationally and internationally.

The LBA is taking the lead in building international partnerships and recognizes the City of Suzhou, China as an International Partner. We will both seek to create strategic business alliances between the businesses of Suzhou and California. We will both strive to work together to innovate and create new business opportunities, strengthen communication and support each other in the areas of business development, education and cultural exchange.

We share a mutual commitment to guide and assist businesses to market efficiently at an international level by providing vital information, introducing them to potential customers and providing overall access to new markets by minimizing distance, language and cultural barriers between businesses from the City of Suzhou and the Latin Business Association.

The City of Suzhou, China and the Latin Business Association will seek to create an international business environment that embraces prosperous businesses and creates economic wealth.

I, Ruben Guerra, Chairman of the Latin Business Association, along with the members of the Board of Directors, do hereby gratefully declare this declaration valid upon signing.

Dated the 16th day of June, 2010- Los Angeles, California

Signators:

Ruben Guerra
Chairman and CEO of the Latin Business Association

Yu Xingnan
Director of the People’s Government of Wuzhong District, Suzhou, China

February 2010: The Common Thread of “Doing Business” Connects Continents with an Exceptional Trip To China
In an effort to boost economy, local mayors join the LBA in an incentive excursion

To help bridge the gap between Latino and Chinese leaders in business, the LBA spearheaded a thought-provoking business trip to China. Those who participated took advantage of the opportunity to meet and greet business leaders in China and better understand the current conditions to improve how business is handled. Mayor of Huntington Park, Mario Gomez; Councilman and former Bell Gardens Mayor Pedro Acutencia; and Councilman and former Downey Mayor Mario Guerra all formed part of a team totalling twenty-eight businessmen led by LBA Chairman Ruben Guerra. Their travels took them to the cities of Xuyi and Suzhou in the Jiangsu province of China to launch international relations and sister-city agreement signings.

Additionally, the agenda included tactics and discussions to explore and secure international market business opportunities for local southern California Latino businesses and cities. Expanding the business borders and reach into China, businesses in both countries alike can learn and take advantage of valuable opportunities otherwise unknown. Conversations and the exchange of thoughts fostered agreements to develop business, education, cultural and economic relations and friendly associations amongst the cities involved and the LBA.

“This was an historic event for the LBA and the three cities, which will create business trade in our communities and much needed jobs”, said Guerra of the LBA. “ This was an incredible and gratifying experience. The partnership we have created and the agreement we look forward to signing will connect California cities with Asia, Mexico and Central America and advance the building of business exchange opportunities for our members and the Latino community at large”, added Guerra.

The following is a list of representatives comprising the Delegation of The People’s Government of Wuzhong District, Suzhou, China:

Mr. Yu Xingnan
Director of the People’s Government of Suzhou, Wuzhong District

Mr. Luo Jiarong
Deputy Director of the Administrative Committee of Suzhou, Wuzhong Economic Development Zone

Mr. Shen Weimin
Office of Director of the People’s Government of Suzhou, Wuzhong District

Mr. He Yue
Director of the Foreign and Overseas Chinese Affairs Office of Suzhou, Wuzhong District

Ms. Bao Lijun
Deputy Director of Bureau of Commerce Suzhou, Wuzhong District

Mr. Li Si
Translator of the Foreign and Overseas Chinese Affairs Office of Suzhou, Wuzhong District

Mr. Wang Zemin
Director of Suzhou Wuzhong Science & Technology Bureau

Mr. Tang Longsheng
Chairman of Suzhou Wuzhong Yuexi Sub-District Collective Property Management Co., Ltd

Mr. Xu Guoxiong
Chairman of Suzhou Wuzhong Guoxiang Sub-District Collective Property Management Co., Ltd

Mr. Zou Shuiyuan
Director of Changqiao Sub-District Office of Suzhou Wuzhong District

Mr. Gu Yuqi
Deputy Director of the Suzhou Wuzhong Bureau of Commerce

Mr. Jin Yu
Translator, Project Manager of the Investment Promotion Bureau of Suzhou Wuzhong Economic Development Zone

About Suzhou

About Wuzhong District

Investment Environment of Wuzhong District, Suzhou, China 2010

Excerpts from Presentation delivered by Yu Xingnan, Director of the People’s Government of Wuzhong District, Suzhou, China at the “LBA Building International Partnerships” Reception in Los Angeles on June 16, 2010:

Dear Guests, Friends, Ladies and Gentlemen,

Today we feel honored to be here in Los Angeles, a modern international metropolis of prosperity and fashion, to participate in this event to promote international cooperation and investment and to enter into this historic partnership agreement …

In May 2010, Shanghai hosted the 2010 World Expo, the first time a world expo has been hosted in China. Less than 100 kilometers to the west is the City of Suzhou, a 2,500 year old city of ancient civilation popularly known as “A Garden City”, “Venice of the East” and “A Paradise on Earth”. In addition to its long history, Suzhou has come to be ranked first among all prefecture-level cities in China, in terms of total economic volume; the fastest-growing area in its drive toward industrialization, urbanization and modernization; and among the first choices for foreign investment, having been selected by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization and other world bodies as: “the World’s Most Dynamic City”, China’s “Gold Medal City for Investment Environment” and “One of the World’s 100 Most-Livable Cities”.

Located in the heartland of the Yangtze River delta, the nation’s most economically-developed area, Wuzhong District is adjacent, in the east, to Shanghai, China’s largest city; it borders Hangzhou, the capital of Zhejiang Province, to the south; and is within proximity to Nanjing, the capital of Jiangsu Province, to the west. A complete transportation network within the district allows access to an expressway in less than 15 minutes, and arrival at any of the aforementioned cities within 100 minutes. The Shanghai-Nanjing Speed Railway, soon to be operational, will slash travel time by two-thirds…

Comprising a major section of Suzhou Central Urban Area, Wuzhong District has been adhering to such developmental concepts as technological innovation, industrial upgrading and sustainable growth… and at the moment, as many as 2,000 foreign-funded enterprises and businesses, 13 which belong to the Fortune 500, have settled in the district, representing a total investment of some $20 billion USD. Among them, the number of US-funded enterprises has reached 145 covering such sectors as pharmaceutical R&D and production, special electronic equipment manufacturing, etc. Powerful companies such as Pfizer and Flextronics have established facilities and ventured further capital investment in Wuzhong district, which has become the first choice of an increasing number of American enterprises. Earlier this year, Wuzhong district established friendly relations with the Greater Los Angeles Area Cities of Downey, Bell Gardens and Huntington Park and now our contacts have expanded to further large areas of exchange and cooperation.

Currently and in the future, efforts will be focused on building Wuzhong District into a high-end industry area, a best livable area and an area of cultural and tourist attraction… Our objectives include constructing the lakeside New City as both livable and industrially suitable, and expanding accessibility and cooperation for new industry development, and such innovative industries as:

…In order to facilitate this development, and maintain a good and stabe development environment…we will provide quality and efficient governnment services. For high-end enterprises with foreign investment, corporate tax will be levied at a reduced rate of 15 percent; a 150 percent deduction will be allowed for amounts spent on R&D, new products or new workmanship; and each year, more than 1 percent of local finance shall be allocated as special funds to attract further high-tech sector entrepreneurship… Such companies will be provided financial support for scientific and technological research, subsidies for home settlement, financing assurance…and comprehensive financial and business service as well as assistance in obtaining full implementation of various policies and financial governmental support at all levels. Further, we will ensure them follow-up service for the entire course, easy work process and one-stop administrative service.

A Chinese saying goes: “Seeing is believing.” Please be aware of the best choice for investment in Wuzhong District now…We assure you of best government service, business confidence and comfortable life. Let’s join hands and work together for a better tomorrow!

Finally, I wish you all good health and good luck! Thank you, and good evening.

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