China-Latin America Trade on the Pacific Rim: Opportunities in a New Economic Era

The Institute of the Americas and the Institute of Latin American Studies of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS) will convene experts from the United States, Latin America and China to discuss emerging business trends in China and Latin America and the impact on the Los Angeles economy.

As China boosts its trade with Latin America, Los Angeles is becoming a vital hub for commerce between the two regions.

China is now the largest trading partner of the Port of Los Angeles. In 2011, 57 percent of the Port’s imports came from China and 35 percent of its exports were shipped to China.

In Latin America, Sino–Chile trade was projected to top $35 billion in 2012, up 17 percent from 2011, accounting for 25 percent of Chile’s total trade. Peru exported almost $7 billion in goods – mostly minerals and textiles – to China in 2011 and projects a significant uptick in the first quarter of 2013.

On Feb. 20, 2013, the Institute of the Americas and the Institute of Latin American Studies of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS) will convene experts from the United States, Latin America and China to discuss emerging business trends in China and Latin America and the impact on the Los Angeles economy.

Among the topics to be discussed are, “Breaking into the Chinese Market: Possibilities and Pitfalls,” and “The China-Latin America Connection: Southern California’s role in the Evolving Economic Relationship.” The keynote speaker will be Dr. José Luis Curbelo, Vice President of Development Strategies and Public Policies and Chief Economist for CAF – The Development Bank of Latin America.

Also speaking at the conference will be business representatives of U.S. companies operating in China and scholars from the University of Southern California and from research organizations in Beijing. Please see the agenda for the complete program of speakers.

Our audience will include West Coast representatives of national and international companies, as well as representatives of Chinese and Latin American companies and government trade representatives. Please join us for this timely business conference on the critical role that Los Angeles plays in the evolving economic relationship between China and Latin America.

Registration:
$60 (Early registration special. Register by Jan. 31, 2013)
Registration after Jan. 31, 2013: $75
Members of the Institute of the Americas: $50
Registration includes continental breakfast and catered lunch.
Register here.

Schedule:
8:00 a.m.-8:30 a.m.: Registration
 
8:30 a.m.-8:45 a.m.: Welcome
Charles S. Shapiro, President, Institute of the Americas
Carlos J. Valderrama, Senior Vice President for Global Initiatives, Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce
 
8:45 a.m.-9:30 a.m.: Keynote address
Dr. José Luis Curbelo, Vice President of Development Strategies and Public Policies and Chief Economist, CAF – The Development Bank of Latin America (confirmed)
 
9:30 a.m.-10:45 a.m.: Breaking into the Chinese Market: Possibilities and Pitfalls
James Zimmerman, Partner, Sheppard Mullin Richter & Hampton, Beijing (confirmed)
Stephanie Barry, General Manager China, WD-40 Co., Shanghai (confirmed)
Moderator: To be confirmed
 
10:45 a.m.-11:00 a.m.: Coffee Break
 
11:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m.: The China-Latin America Connection: Southern California’s Role in the Evolving Economic Relationship
Jim MacLellan, Director of Trade Development, Port of Los Angeles (confirmed)
Dr. Yong Zhang, Professor of Latin American Economies and Development, Institute of Latin American Studies of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS), Beijing (confirmed)
Dr. Carol Wise, Professor of International Relations, University of Southern California Center for International Business Education and Research (confirmed)
Moderator: S. Lynne Walker, Vice President and Director of China-Americas Program, Institute of the Americas
 
12:30 p.m.-2:00 p.m.: Luncheon