Japanese Consul General Kazuo Sunaga in his remarks to the 14th annual banquet of the Asian-American Heritage Foundation highlighted the increasing economic importance of Asia and further growth of trade relations with the United States.
To underscore his assertion that “Asia is increasing its prominence in the world economy,” he pointed to the rise in the number of Asian-based companies on the Fortune Global 500 from 116 in 2001 to 188 in 2013.
“We can also see that trade between Asia and America is growing,” he said, citing figures from the East-West Center in Hawaii, which show that 28 percent of U.S. goods exported are headed to Asia, and that 32 percent of export-related jobs in the U.S. depend on exports to Asia.
“In the last 10 years alone,” he said, “U.S. investment in Asia, as well as Asian investment in the U.S. has increased 100 percent.”
He added that Singapore, India, China and South Korea are all in the top ten fastest growing sources for foreign direct investment in America with Japan accounting for 70 percent of Asian foreign direct investment into the U.S.
Mr. Sunaga was the first Japanese consul general to make a formal statement in the history of the annual event, which was held at the Palace restaurant in Norcross on June 16.
The foundation was created in 2003 to promote economic, education and health care within the Asian-American community in Georgia. Its board of directors represent eight different countries.
Its mission statement calls for the appreciation of contributions made by citizens of Asian and Pacific heritage in the U.S., and the encouragement of citizens of Asian-American heritage to get involved in supporting community service and the American civil process and to promote corporate diversity.
Six community service awards were presented this year to the following individuals:
Dov Wilker, regional director of the Atlanta chapter of the American Jewish Committee; the Rev. Younis Farhat, pastor of the First Asian Indian Baptist Church of Metro Atlanta; Judge Carla McMillian of the Georgia Court of Appeals and Judge Meng H. Lim of the Tallapoosa Superior Court.
The Asian American Peace Officers of Georgia, and the South Asian Bar Association of Georgia also were honored for their community service.
Guests of honor aside from Mr. and Mrs. Sunaga included Charlotte Nash, chairperson, Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners; R. Srinivasan, acting consul general of India; Donta L. Wilson, group state president, BB&T Branch Banking & Trust Co.; Jennifer Jones, vice president diverse markets, AT&T; and Robert Duan, deputy director general, Taipei Economic and Cultural Office Atlanta.
Ying Zhu, senior program associate at the Carter Center, provided a presentation about the importance of tea in Asian culture, and several dance performers also entertained the more than 170 dinner guests.
Ani Agnihotri, the foundation’s president, and Farooq Soomro, its chair, discussed future plans for the foundation including an event to raise funds for a center. Vir Mayani, a member of the board, described a scholarship initiative to take place in honor of Mr. Soomro’s son, Omar, who recently died.
Estrella Cramer, global procurement finance manager at United Parcel Service Inc. served as the master of ceremonies.
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