Think Asia, Think Hong Kong Conference

On June 10, 2015,  ZG Worldwide associates Lothar Soliwon and Quinn Place attended the Think Asia, Think Hong Kong conference at McCormick Place in Chicago to discuss business opportunities with Chinese investors and promote ZG Worldwide’s services.  An estimated 1,000 attendees were at the event.   Besides presentations explaining the direction of Chinese economic development and its increased engagement with the global economy, there were many vendors of business services.   Quinn and Lothar attended several individual matching sessions with Chinese business entities.  Quinn Place is member of a group developing telemedicine technology in the U.S. and China.

The one-day conference was focused on Hong Kong’s special relationship with both mainland
China and North America, as well as its status as Asia’s international trade and financial center.   Hong Kong is an ideal platform for U.S. companies seeking new markets and business opportunities in China and other parts of Asia. 

The One Belt, One Road initiative - the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21^st Century Maritime Silk Road – is a key part of China’s development strategy.  China is conducting feasibility studies on four outbound high-speed railways, including the Europe-Asia high-speed rail, Central Asia high-speed rail, Pan-Asia high-speed rail, and the China-Russia-America-Canada line. To provide financial support for the development of the Belt and Road Initiative, China is promoting the establishment of the Asia Infrastructure Investment Bank, the BRICS New Development Bank, and the Silk Road Fund.

China continues to gear up its role as a major player in the global economy.  It has established 118 economic and trade cooperation zones in 50 countries around the world.  Chinese enterprises are being encouraged to increase overseas investment in the exploitation of mineral resources to improve China’s supply of energy resources. 

There were many networking opportunities at the event for Lothar and Quinn to talk with both Chinese and American entrepreneurs.  These included representatives in the auto industry, to environmental businesses, restaurant chains, energy suppliers, consultants, and financial service providers.  ZG Worldwide looks forward to new partnerships and continued relationships with existing clients.

China MD Opportunities – Growing International Clinic in Beijing

Are you an MD who has wanted to work in an international setting?   

Our client, a very busy high-end clinic in the central business district of Beijing with many international patients, needs three MDs:

• Pediatrician (knowledge of Mandarin not necessary)
• Family Practice/General Practice or Internal Medicine (knowledge of Mandarin not necessary)
• Family Practice/General Practice or Internal Medicine (must be fluent in Mandarin)

Qualifications are as follows: 

• U.S. board certification and n good standing to practice medicine in the U.S.  
• 8 or more years of experience 

Job Description includes (but is not limited) to the following: 

• Assist the Chinese doctors with their diagnoses, further their knowledge of U.S. medicine, and at the same time learn about their technology.   

The clinic is located in the central business district of Beijing, near hotels, major office buildings, restaurants, entertainment, subway, and within walking distance of many apartments.   Beijing has a large international community. The compensation starts at $120,000 to $160,000 the first year and increases annually.  You usually work 40 hours/week and receive two weeks of paid vacation annually.    The clinic wants a 3-year commitment, with a 6-month trial phase.

If you are interested, please contact ZG Worldwide at zukunftgroup@gmail.com

Business Hotspot: Springfield, IL

Chicago may get all the attention, but Springfield is coming in as a close second as a key international business center.  Springfield, with its Abraham Lincoln historic sites, Lincoln Presidential Museum and Library, Dana-Thomas Frank Lloyd Wright House, Route 66, State Capitol Complex, and many other attractions, is the preeminent international tourism business center in Illinois, outside of Chicago.  It has a cohesive, pedestrian-friendly downtown where a visitor can easily walk to many points of interest.

If that hasn’t sold you, then allow me to continue. Many Springfield-area businesses conduct global commerce,  including Bunn-O-Matic,  Solomon Colors, Brandt, GSI Group, ADM, LRS software, ZG Worldwide business consulting, Hanson engineering, Novanis software, and Tate and Lyle.  JP Morgan (Chase) Bank and US Bank provide international banking services. Springfield, being the state’s seat of government, has government offices involved in international business affairs and many associations having members with global interests.   Further, much of the region’s agricultural production is exported.  The Midwest Inland Port in nearby Decatur provides direct freight train service to the east and west coasts.  The University of Illinois Springfield, Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, and hospitals in the medical district are becoming increasingly global in personnel, student population, and involvement. Airline service provides connections to international flights in Chicago and Dallas.  High-speed passenger rail service will start the end of 2015, and with its increased frequencies will likely attract many foreign riders who are used to rail travel.   

Springfield has many excellent hotels downtown and near the interstate highways as well as fine restaurants, including ethnic cuisine varying from Chinese and Indian to Italian, Mediterranean and Mexican.  The local population is also becoming more ethnically diverse.

The cost of doing business in Springfield is low compared to the overhead paid in major metropolitan areas. Because of modern telecommunications much international commerce can be conducted anywhere in the world.   Springfield’s real estate market is known for having many reasonably priced properties, including in the central business district.

Keep an eye out for Springfield as it continues to rise as a leading hub for global business.  And with ZG Associates headquartered in major business hubs throughout the globe, you can trust that ZG Worldwide will keep you up to date on local & global business news! Contact ZG Worldwide today for more information.

Wanderlust Update: Buenos Aires is the MECAs of all MECAs for Travel Lovers!

And I have other great news! One of our uber talented ZG Associates manages multiple great rentals in the heart of Buenos Aires, Argentina. Want to hear more about these great rentals? I thought you might!

The available rentals have views of the lively streets (great for people watching!) and are in the center of all the action. The rentals also offer queen size beds and upscale furnishings. And of course fully loaded kitchens and bathrooms with classic yet modern style! And of course it isn’t an ideal rental without the high speed Internet, flat screen TVs, free local calling and weekly maid service. Consider yourself covered!

And now a little about the neighborhood: imagine yourself in the center of ALL the action in Buenos Aires: Retiro/Plaza San Martín & one block away to the Sheraton and Plaza Hotels. Walking distance to Calle Florida, Av. Santa Fe, Recoleta neighborhood and Barrio Norte. 
Lively and busy during the day, the surrounding blocks are full of restaurants, boutiques, shops and cafés. 
So picture this: grabbing your favorite latte while browsing through the best galleries (and art auctions) in town…. And did I mention great people watching?  If you seem to thrive when the sun goes down, you’ll be steps away from hip neighborhoods & lively bars and clubs. 


Getting around

One block to Calle Florida, famous for it’s shopping. Half a block to the beautiful Plaza San Martin. Walking distance to the Puerto Madero Neighborhood and the Costanera Sur.

It has access to lots of bus lines as well as the subway (one block away), the Retiro train station, Buquebus ferry seaport, and lots of passing cabs.

Other Things to Note

Think you’re in the mood for a longer stay? Well then you’re in luck! For longer terms (22 and 27 nights), special rates may be offered! If you mention “ZG” … Consider this a virtual coupon for great deals on rentals!

For more info email Marcelo mft596@yahoo.com & buckle up for a great deal!

Attention! Attention! Wanted: Board Certified US Physician

Do you get tired of the cold winter? Want to be somewhere warm and have travel expenses paid (for you and a spouse!)? Does this scenery look appealing to you? 

My China client is located in Guangzhou, China. If you haven't had the luxury of visiting China, It's beautiful and warm this time of the year! My client has a medical tourism business, so the working environment is better than most hospitals a US physician is typically working in.

We are seeking a board certified US physician who seeks an exciting opportunity and wants to work at a warm place for a change. The assignment is 6-12 weeks depending on the physician's availability. We will pay round trip airline ticket, food and hotel stay. The amount of expenses covered will be depending on the length of time that is committed.

If you are interested, please contact Quinn Place at qplace@overseasbridges.com or ZG Worldwide at zukunftgroup@gmail.com. Only US licensed physicians will be considered. 

Hello From the Mine (a Coal Mine….!)

Greetings!

I’m on the move again, spreading the word about ZG Worldwide and learning more about the latest  needs among local businesses. Last week, I took part in a Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce tour of the Viper coal mine north of Springfield, near Williamsville.  Twelve of us from the chamber went into this working mine.  Wow, what an experience! See below for a picture taken in the coal mine (I’m on the left!). 

The mine is owned by Arch Coal Company, one of the nation’s largest coal mining companies.   Illinois has still has huge coal deposits that will last for many years.  The Viper Mine, with about 300 well-paid workers, is one of the area’s major employers and economic generators.   Much of the mine’s coal production is purchased by the municipally-owned City Water Light & Power utility of Springfield, IL.  There are some other local markets.

What first impressed me when we got to the mine’s administration building was its cleanliness.  We had to undergo a safety training program before we were allowed to enter the mine.  There is a great focus on training at this facility, and they are very proud of their excellent safety record.  Outside the mine there is a 5.5 mile long conveyor belt that transports the coal from the mine portal at Williamsville to the coal processing plant to the north.

We put on our safety gear and descended 300 feet into the ground on vehicles that entered the mine by means of a long ramp.   Once in the mining area we got to see the machinery at work.   There was less dust in the air than I expected where the coal was being mined because of the water sprayed on the mine walls to keep the particulate matter down.  Coal is mined there 24 hours a day.

Arch Coal of St. Louis has asked the Logan County Zoning Board of Appeals to reclassify 322 acres of agricultural land to allow for the expansion of an existing coal-waste storage facility, called a coal-slurry pond.  Local citizens are concerned about the long-term effects on air and water quality.  If the expansion is not allowed, the mine would have to close, resulting in the loss of 300 jobs. 

Special thanks to Arch Coal Company for this great learning opportunity!