ANC-OC MEETS WITH RECENTLY APPOINTED INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN

armradio.am
06.09.2007 10:43

The Armenian National Committee of Orange County (ANC-OC) met with
California State Assembly member Van Tran at his offices in Costa
Mesa, CA. ANC-OC activists Ara Malazian, Chris Guldjian, and Garin
Sarkissian as well as ANC-OC activists and recent ANCA intern Alex
Der Alexanian discussed various issues of importance to the Armenian
community in Orange County, particularly with regards to renewing
authorization of the California trade office in Armenia.

"We appreciated the opportunity to sit down with Assembly Member
Tran to have a candid discussion about the importance of promoting
California-Armenia ties," said Malazian. "Armenia provides the most
democratic, stable, and economically progressing trading option for
California in the region. More importantly, the vibrant and growing
Armenian community in Orange County sees this developing economic
relationship as complimentary to the numerous cultural and social
bridges between the two states," he added.

Assemblyman Tran explained the importance of highlighting the
benefits to California’s economy through tangible results of the
California-Trade Office. While Armenia previous trade offices
between California and Japan, China, Mexico and Israel were funded
by California tax-payers, the California-Trade Office (CATO), touted
as a model for the next generation of California trade offices,
is a privately funded entity working for the benefit of the state.

The meeting ended on a very positive note with subsequent meetings
to be scheduled between Assemblyman Van Tran and the ANC Orange County.

On July 17th, 2007, Assemblyman Tran was named Chair of the Select
Committee on International Trade for the California State Assembly. The
Select Committee on International Trade was created to collaborate
with California’s business community in expanding import-export
opportunities; to promote better relationships with foreign entities,
specifically to find economic opportunities for California businesses;
and to explore legislative policies to cultivate international trade
while resolving regulatory issues within the state.

The Select Committee on International Trade is of particular
significance to Armenian American community as Armenia currently
hosts the only California trade office. Operated by the Foundation
for Economic Development and overseen by California’s Business,
Transportation, and Housing Agency, the trade office is working to
expand trade between California, Armenia, and the Newly Independent
States of the former Soviet Union.