The 6th Invest in America Summit Boosts Cross-border Investment

SHANGHAI, March 29, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- The 2016 Invest in America Summit ("the Summit"), co-hosted by PBISS and Wailian Overseas Consulting Group ("Wailian" or "the Group"), kicked off on March 12 in Shanghai. The two-day Summit was visited by many important guests, including Gary Locke, former US Ambassador to China; Ken Jarrett, Chairman of the American Chamber of Commerce in Shanghai; Rupert Hoogewerf, Chairman and chief investigator of Hurun Report; Arthur Zhang, Vice President of East China of the Silicon Valley "Unicorn" incubator PNP, Miao Lu, co-founder of the Center for China and Globalization, He Mei, President of Wailian, Zhang Mingeng, founder of Grand China Real Estate Fund and Gregory Smith, former admission officer of Stanford University. Attendees also included US state government officers, USCIS officers, professional lawyers and economists as well as representatives from real estate, insurance, tax and education institutions. They carried out insightful discussions on themes such as Chinese Enterprise Globalization, USD Investment Diversification, Overseas Citizenship Planning, Global Assets Allocation, American-style Elite Education, U.S.-Sino Angel Funds and Business Incubators.

Six years ago, China's direct investment in foreign countries was on the rise, but compared with now, it was just a beginning. Now, China has become a "global investor." The Ministry of Commerce said on February 16 that China's non-financial foreign direct investment in January 2016 reached USD12.02 billion, an increase of 18.2% from the same month last year, which was a good beginning of the year. The Ministry of Commerce also pointed out that Chinese enterprises' enthusiasm on American investment continues. Though Chinese enterprises' investment in America hit a new high in 2015, the number in January this year reached USD1.56 billion, 3.9 times of that in the same period last year. Meanwhile, the total value of on-going M&A projects exceeds USD10 billion. Investment in America in 2016 is predicted to maintain its rapid growth, as America is gradually becoming the first choice for domestic enterprises and high-net-worth individuals.

Former US Ambassador to China, Gary Locke, gave a speech on the Summit titled, "Global Investment Opportunities and Suggestion to Chinese Enterprises", which offered a professional vision for Chinese enterprises' investment in America. Ms. He Mei, member of the Summit Organizing Committee, said that "Many industries in America are favored by Chinese investors and institutions. Foreign investment is full of risk and challenge, no matter for individuals or enterprises, therefore it needs the support from professional institutions, and to realize mutual benefits is our original intension to hold this Summit."

The Biggest and Most Influential Event on America Investment in China

The Summit has stepped into its 6th year. Its influence can be seen from the data provided by the organizing committee. Almost 20,000 visitors, nearly 200 professionals and officers have attended the Summit over the years, and more than 500 American projects have been featured. This 6th Summit, with the theme "Understand Business Opportunities, Improve Wealth Level", has realized perfect upgrading both in scale and professionialism. Nearly 20 insightful conversations on hot topics of American investment attracted over 1,000 people to attend the panel discussions.

The Most Professional Communication Platform on American Investment in China

The organizing committee this year increased the threshold for the selection of American investment projects to introduce. All told, the more than 40 projects represented a wide array of industries including energy, real estate, manufacturing, finance, service, information and electronics. The Summit set up a one-stop communication platform among foreign law firms, accounting firms, innovators and venture capital funds, financial service institutions, education and consulting institutions and real estate funds, allowing the visitors and enterprises to have the chance to communicate with professionals and learn the best strategies for investing in America.

Chinese Enterprises' Cross-border M&A under the Fervor of "Businesses and Innovations"

The highlight of the Summit was the discussion surrounding cross-border mergers and acquisitions. Driven by the large numbers of people who are innovating and starting their own businesses, the angel investment market has witnessed a flood of capital inflow. More and more Chinese enterprises are seeking collaborative foreign development and more foreign investment opportunities, and the Summit acted as a bridge. Along with Arthur Zhang, the organizing committee invited Mao Daqing, the founder of Urwork and Tao Chuang, the founder of PPTV, to lead a discussion on "U.S.-Sino Angel Funds and Business Incubators", in order to expand the global investment vision for domestic entrepreneurs and investors.

The Summit attracted about 40 high-grade American and Chinese exhibitors, nearly 30 investment and education elites entered into conversations on more than 20 cross-border investment forums, and over 100 mainstream media outlets reported on the event. Attendees discussed the vision and practice of Chinese enterprises and high-net-worth individuals to invest in America from various perspectives and dimensions, and that how to incorporate the American market in the important camp of global asset allocation, and presented a feast of thought on international investment for investors and enterprises.

SOURCE Wailian Overseas Consulting Group