Houston leaders tout city’s diplomatic growth, immigrant-driven economy at International Business Expo

Jim Niltware, co-chair of the International Trade Center, opened the International Business Expo at Houston City Hall and welcomed attendees to the ITC’s 22nd anniversary and the organization’s first annual International Business Expo. "We are so pleased that you are here today," Niltware said, urging participants to attend sessions and the gala the following evening.

Wei Li, the event host, framed the expo as both a networking platform and an investor attractor, saying the ITC has helped more than 12,000 small businesses since its founding and that organizers aim to bring more global investment to Houston. He noted work under the "Houston 1st" leadership and referenced a $2,000,000,000 project underway tied to that effort.

Mayor Whitmire praised the city’s diversity and economic assets, saying the municipal government is working to make city hall reflect Houston’s population and promoting the International District as a destination. "So it's exciting times to be a Houstonian," the mayor said, encouraging residents and visitors to experience the district’s commerce, culture and languages. He also said the city is coordinating shuttle service with Metro to connect convention sites to the International District.

Congressman Al Green told the audience that immigrants have helped make Houston "an international city," and he urged continued investment in the International District as a destination for visitors and businesses.

Chris Hollins, Houston’s city controller, congratulated the ITC on the expo and used city statistics to make the case for Houston’s global role: he cited the city’s large medical center, the U.S. port, representation from more than 90 foreign consulates and an estimated 145 languages spoken locally. "Houston is the cultural epicenter of the Western Hemisphere," Hollins said, and he urged attendees to use the expo to form partnerships in finance, energy, health care, education and real estate.

Catherine Ho, regional director of the U.S. State Department’s Office of Foreign Missions in Houston, said her office has worked with colleagues in Washington and U.S. missions overseas to expand diplomatic and trade representation in Texas. She said the office has "officially opened the career consulate for Iraq and Kuwait here in Houston," and has approved trade offices for Western Australia and the Czech Republic in Austin; she characterized those moves as likely to bring additional investment into the region.

Organizers closed the program by inviting attendees to the reception and reminding them of gala events and consul general participation scheduled the next day. The expo will continue with sessions and panels intended to connect local small and minority-owned businesses with global markets.