Global Initiative Council Holds ‘L.A. Leading the Way in Tech’

The Chamber's Global Initiative Council held a hybrid discussion this week to spotlight Los Angeles' evolving tech scene. The event was highlighted by presentations from David Ochi, Executive Director of the California State University, Dominguez Hills Incubator, and Shrina Kurani, Executive Director of Grid110, who discussed entrepreneurship, innovation, and the overall goal of establishing Los Angeles as an international tech hub. Members of the Diplomatic and Commercial Official Group and business leaders from both local and international corporations were in attendance.

Vietnam's Investment Environment

The Chamber participated in a hybrid workshop which explored business opportunities in Vietnam. The workshop connected local businesses with their Vietnamese counterparts to provide exposure to new market opportunities and highlight Vietnam as a dynamic economy in Southeast Asia. With robust economic growth, a favorable business climate, a young and talented workforce, and a strategic geographic location, Vietnam has opportunities for businesses in the Los Angeles region looking to explore global opportunities. Speakers included Erin Bromaghim, L.A. Deputy Mayor of International Affairs, Pham Van Hieu, Chairman of the Can Tho City People's Council, Kenneth Wengrod, Vice President of Global Trade and Foreign Investment, and Craig Meyer, President & Global Chair of JLL.

Indonesian Tourism Industry & Business Matching in L.A.

The Chamber attended the Indonesian Tourism Industry Business Matching Event, hosted by the Consulate General of the Republic of Indonesia, on Aug. 8. The event provided tourism businesses in Los Angeles with an opportunity to meet with Indonesian sellers and buyers to expand to a market (which in 2021 generated around $548 million in the tourism sector) with world-class travel destinations. Several members of our Diplomatic and Commercial Officer Group attended the event. The Chamber's Vice President of Global Trade and Foreign Investment, Kenneth Wengrod, is pictured with Mrs. Aldila Tjahjasari, Director of Indonesia Trade Promotion Center, and Harris Turino, Member of the Indonesian Parliament.

Royal Thai Consulate Hosts Thailand Business Forum

The Chamber attended a Thailand Business Forum hosted by the Royal Thai Consulate on Aug. 10. Speakers included Tor Saralamba, Consul General of Thailand in Los Angeles, and Ittichot Damrongraktam, Director of Thailand Board of Investment, Los Angeles. The event provided local businesses in our region with an opportunity to learn first-hand from successful Thai sellers to expand additional direct foreign investment in Los Angeles and cross border trading.

USC Supply Chain Conference

The Chamber attended the USC Supply Chain Conference. The conference was themed, “Reprogramming Global Supply Chain DNA: Driving Strategies, Technologies, and Human Capital in a New World Disorder.” The conference is one of the largest events in the supply chain industry and provides significant learning and networking opportunities for both large and small businesses. Keynote speakers included Gene Seroka, Executive Director of the Port of Los Angeles, and Noel Hacegaba, Deputy Executive Director & Chief Operating Officer of the Port of Long Beach and our 2024 World Trade Week Chair. Caroline Brown, SVP of Global Commercial Banking at Bank of America were honored with the Women's Leadership Award.

U.S. and Mexico to Remediate Denials of Rights at Goodyear Facility

The U.S. and Mexico announced a plan for remediation to address the denial of freedom of association and collective bargaining rights at the Goodyear facility in San Luis Potosí. The 11-point course of remediation is set to be completed by Jan. 24 and will remedy violations of Mexican law at the facility. While there could be supply chain disruptions in the short term, the remediation will ultimately ensure a more stable and predictable environment for businesses to operate in.

Task Force Updates Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act

The Forced Labor Enforcement Task Force (FLETF) published an updated Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA) Strategy to prevent the importation of goods produced with forced labor in China. The strategy enforces the UFLPA's presumption, barring goods from Xinjiang or companies on the UFLPA Entity List, unless importers can prove the absence of forced labor. American businesses importing products from China, such as high-risk products such as apparel, cotton, tomatoes and polysilicon from China should be aware of the changes to the UFLPA.

U.S. Strengthens Semiconductor Industrial Base

Apparel Industry Shifts Towards Sustainability

The Chamber joined apparel, trade and banking experts to discuss the evolution towards ecological and ethical practices in the fashion and apparel industry, as global brands focus on sustainability. The Chamber's Vice President of Global Trade and Foreign Investment, Kenneth Wengrod, highlighted a growing emphasis on corporate responsibility and building transparent and sustainable supply chains. Read the full article here.

U.S. Trade Representative Visits Kenya

Katherine Tai, U.S. Trade Representative, visited Kenya this week to meet with Kenyan President William Ruto and co-chair a meeting of the U.S.-East African Community Trade and Investment Framework Agreement Council. Ambassador Tai participated in several roundtable discussions which ultimately focused on creating a predictable business climate in Kenya to facilitate economic growth, investment and international trade. A democratic Kenya is the U.S., and the Biden Administration is working to increase trade between the two countries.