Chinese and U.S. government officials will participate this week with academics, businesspeople and legal experts in a forum concerning the implications for U.S. firms caused by China’s entry into the World Trade Organization (WTO).
The 8th Georgia Tech Global Business Forum will be held on Wednesday, April 10, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. at the Georgia Center for Advanced Telecommunications Technology in Midtown.
“The WTO is changing the lay of the land in the region,” John McIntyre, who heads the Center for International Business Education and Research at the Georgia Institute of Technology and is a conference organizer, told GlobalFax.
“Even if you don’t do business in China, you will feel its effect. This is true in Georgia for the textile, paper, automotive and other key industries.”
Tian Jun, counselor and head of the economic section at China’s embassy in Washington, will give the morning keynote address. A luncheon address will be given by Rufus Yerxa, former deputy U.S. Trade Representative and U.S. ambassador to the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade in Geneva.
Among the other speakers will be Raymond Fan, director, Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in New York; Robert Goldberg, acting director, Office of Commercial and Business Affairs, U.S. Department of State and Denis Fred Simon, president, Monitor China, Ltd., a leading consulting firm in China.
Executives from Blockbuster Entertainment Corp., Kimberly-Clark Corp. and United Parcel Service will discuss their experiences either trading or investing in China during an afternoon panel.
Sha Hailin, minister counselor in China’s embassy in Washington, will be the guest of honor at a reception for Atlanta’s consular corps following the forum.
The cost is $89 for the entire conference, including continental breakfast, luncheon and the reception for the consuls general. The cost to attend the luncheon only is $45.
To make a reservation, call Mark Ballam at (404) 894-4379 or send an email to mark.ballam@mgt.gatech.edu. For more information, go to www.dupree.gatech.edu