Taiwan Congressman Visits Kansas City
Legislator Jason Lin from our sister city Tainan, Taiwan, recently visited Kansas City, MO and met with Narbeli Galindo, the EDC’s Director of International Affairs. Lin has a strong connection to Kansas City, as he obtained his Master’s degree from UMKC in the early 1990’s. He was accompanied by Juiling Lin, Director of Outreach Program from the Taiwanese Association of Greater KC, and also recently elected Kansas City Sister Cities Chairperson for Tainan, Taiwan.
During his visit, Lin learned about the KC Streetcar project, academia, and cultural and trade programs between the cities. The group also discussed ways to reestablish and grow our relationship as sister cities. He also met Chien-Ming Wang, a Kansas City Royals player and Tainan City native!
Tainan Mayor William Lai plans to visit the United State and Kansas City in the coming months, and Lin invited Mayor Sly James and Galindo to visit Tainan City. Galindo says this is the beginning of an effort to reestablish cultural and trade relationships as well as educational programs between both cities.
Morelia, Mexico Donates Books to the Kansas City Library
Since 1973, Kansas City, Missouri has been developing a strong relationship with our sister city, Morelia, Mexico. In August, the two cities celebrated their bond and welcomed Alfonso Navarro Bernachi, the new Head Consul for the Consulate of Mexico in Kansas City. According to Galindo, the event demonstrated the tight rapport between the two communities.
“We are proud of the work our cities have accomplished over the past four decades,” said Galindo. “This was an opportunity to honor our history together, and educate others about the city of Morelia.”
As a symbol of our cultural, trade, and governmental ties, Morelia donated over 60 books to the Kansas City Public Library. Galindo said she is looking forward to more collaboration.
“Our communities can benefit from each other in many areas, including academia and the arts,” said Galindo. “We hope this is just the start of future projects that will strengthen our relationship.”
Galindo hopes to raise awareness of what Kansas City, MO has to offer Foreign Direct Investors.
“By strengthening our relationship with Mexico, we hope to grow exports and lead to more assistance and resources for our global local companies,” said Galindo. “Increasing trade and cultural activities will promote more opportunities, and lead to job creation and capital investments in Kansas City, MO.”
Delegation from Kurashiki, Japan Visits Kansas City
In July, Kansas City, MO hosted a group of delegates from our sister city, Kurashiki, Japan. The delegation, consisting of seven students and one city official, visited for an educational exchange program which included two weeks of homestay with local KC families.
The group had the opportunity to meet with Mayor Pro-Tem Scott Wager and toured City Hall, which included a trip to the observatory deck to enjoy the panoramic view of the city. During the meeting, gifts were exchanged on behalf of both cities to signify our strong relationship as sister cities since 1972.
The EDC collaborated with the Heart of America Japan-America Society to support the delegation during their visit.
To learn more about how SelectUSA helps promote foreign direct investment in the United States, please visit their website.
KCMO’s Growing Collaboration And Ties With China
The EDC’s Director of International Affairs, Narbeli Galindo, Mayor Pro-Tem Scott Wagner, Joan Pu, and several individuals from the Edgar Snow Memorial Foundation met with Hong Lei, the newly appointed Consulate-General of the People’s Republic of China in Chicago.
Discussion from this meeting included the upcoming Beijing trip and collaboration with overall trade and cultural ties with China. Additionally, promoting the relationships between KCMO and China by potentially increasing Chinese FDIs into KCMO, and opportunities for local global companies exporting to China.
Galindo and Wagner, together with UMKC, will be part of the Edgar Snow delegation visiting China (Beijing and Yan’an) from October 7th to October 14th, 2016. The trip consists of meeting with several key governmental officials and visits to Chinese companies looking to expand their operations in KCMO. This trip continues to signify the long term relationship between KCMO and China, and how our City views China as a viable market full of growth potential.
The EDC International team is also currently working with a Chinese company looking to expand their operations in the United States through Kansas City, Missouri. Galindo plans to visit their Chinese HQ operations with more than 100 employees during her trip to China. The purpose of this visit is to better understand how they operate in China and assist with their growth into KCMO by providing guidance on hiring talent and capital investment.
This upcoming October trip to China will further promote business exchanges and cultural ties between China and KCMO, which will be beneficial in the City’s effort to increase its international presence, creating more job opportunities and future growth.
About International Business In Kansas City, Missouri
The EDC’s blog features monthly updates on International Business Initiatives. If you are interested in learning more, please visit the International Business section of our website or view the latest news on our blog.
*For more information about international business in Kansas City, Missouri, please contact Narbeli Galindo, the EDC’s Coordinator for International Business.