Eco Expo Asia Attracts U.S. Interest
- By L.K. Williams, EPonline
- Nov 03, 2010
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Ryan Mulholland |
"This is the place to do business. This is the place to make contracts. And this is the place where companies can build their reputation," said Edward Yau, secretary the Environment of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, as he welcomed attendees to Eco Expo Asia on Wednesday.
In this fifth year of the trade event, the United States is represented by more than 30 companies, according to Andrew Wylegala, chief commercial counsel of the U.S. Commercial Service. He explained that this interest reflects the commitment of the Obama administration to the environmental sector and to China.
Some of the companies were able to participate more easily through the Green Export Enabler Program, which subsidized travel and exhibit costs for small- to medium-sized businesses. Ryan Mulholland of the International Trade Administration for the U.S. Department of Commerce said El Camino College Center for International Trade Development received grant funds last October through the Market Development Cooperative Program. The California-based organization recruited 28 companies, he said. Wylegala added that Expo organizers Hong Kong Trade Development Council and Messe Frankfurt also pushed forward a strong recruitment campaign.
Mulholland itemized the environmental and energy sectors in which the United States has expertise--wind, solar, geothermal, biomass, hydropower, efficiency, and smart grid--and identified corresponding companies exhibiting on the show floor. He also mentioned that international companies interested in doing business in the United States may also find assistance from various trade associations, such as the American Wind Energy Association or the National Hydrogen Association.
Since the United States has had environmental regulations starting in the 1970s, the nation has had 40 years to develop the industry and could offer that experience to the Chinese market, Mulholland suggested.
U.S.-based companies exhibiting at Eco Expo Asia include: ALSA Tech LLC, Apex Drive Laboratories, Arquitectonica, Baumgartens, Baysinger Partners Architecture, California Center for International Trade Development, Capstone Turbine Corp., ChemCo Systems, Dimensional Insight, Eco360, EESS, Environmental Solutions Group, Global Energy Resource USA Inc., Green Technology Solutions, Green Touch Design, Honeywell International Inc., Kang Yue USA LLC., Met One Instruments, Mirjahangir Engineering, Oswego Design and Remodeling Inc., Porteon Electric Vehicles, Power Efficiency Corporation, Royal Service Air Conditioning Group, SSI Shredding Systems Inc., State of Illinois, The CCM Group, Topanga Technologies, Wahlco Inc., and West Salem Machinery Co.
The expo, which ends Saturday with an invitation for the public to attend, also supports companies from 18 other countries.
About the Author
L.K. Williams is the Environmental Group Editor of 1105 Media.