Due to some strange politics, California has only one legal foreign trade office and it is in Yerevan, Armenia of all places. They have just named an Executive Director for the non-profit organization that manages this trade office:
Entrepreneur and long-time business consultant Johnny Nalbandian was named by the Foundation for Economic Development as the Trade Specialist for the California Trade Office of Yerevan, Armenia last month… The initiative to form CATO was signed by Governor Schwarzenegger in September 2005. With an office already established in Yerevan, CATO is once again expanding operations with the addition of Nalbandian in Los Angeles…. Nalbandian, who grew up in Los Angeles, has become a successful and highly demanded business consultant and marketer. His private firm J III & Co. is based in Commerce, CA. For the past four years, Johnny has advised businesses of all industries and sizes regarding expansion, trade, and investment opportunities. “My dream,” notes Johnny, “is to introduce California-based businesses to new market opportunities so that we can both strengthen there foundations while play a leading role in the development of these emerging economies.”
“Given its current economy and geography,” Nalbandian believes, “Armenia is the perfect gateway to the regions served by the office. This frontier of opportunities for California’s businesses and investors are endless.”
CATO began its work in October 2005 under the auspices of the California Business, Transportation and Housing Agency and is California’s only foreign trade representation. The bill authorizing its creation was passed with overwhelming bi-partisan support in the California State Assembly and Senate. Serving the greater Eastern Europe, Western Asia, and former Soviet States, CATO is operated by a California-based non-profit organization called the Foundation for Economic Development, for which Nalbandian serves as the new Executive Director.
“Officials from the United Nations met on Wednesday with Silicon Valley executives to discuss the ‘digital divide’ _ the growing gap between the world’s wealthiest and most computer literate people and the impoverished masses without Internet access. The meeting, organized by Intel Corp. and the U.N.’s Global Alliance for Information and Communications Technology and Development, was billed as the first between U.N. officials and technology executives and venture capitalists. More than 100 executives and officials from more than 30 countries attended the half-day conference. They discussed low-cost ways to get broadband Internet access to Africa, build computer centers throughout the developing world and encourage entrepreneurship. “
“Establishing the information and communications technology (ICT) infrastructure in Africa necessary to support the region’s economic development is the goal of a USTDA-sponsored conference to be held March 19-21, 2007 in San Francisco, California. Ministers and other senior government officials from more than 15 African nations will discuss their ICT needs and present more than 25 projects ranging in value from $1 million to $200 million.”
“Century Aluminum Co. said Thursday it signed a memorandum of understanding with the Republic of the Congo for an exclusive right to develop an aluminum business there. Monterey-based Century said the development will include an aluminum smelter, an alumina refinery and a bauxite mine.”
“Eva LaRue, star of CSI:Miami, has signed on to host an important humanitarian documentary entitled UGANDA, Peril to Pearl. This feature-length documentary, financed by HHB Inc. and produced by The Film Factory, LLC (both California Companies with offices in Riverside), will explore the difficulties that this landlocked African nation has in attempting to finance its growing needs and revive its people and culture.. Eva LaRue will travel to Uganda, New York, Washington D.C., Georgia, and London, seeking insight from politicians, getting historical perspectives from universities, finding common ground from humanitarian organizations, and garnering understanding from all parties. As her efforts progress, follow John Parks and Bill Seiber of HHB Inc. in their attempt to broker a failsafe and transparent compliance program that will invigorate investment, free international financial aid, and create business opportunities for this suffering nation, while protecting investors and donors.”
