Latinos Seek Business in China

A delegation from the Latin Business Assn. of Los Angeles left last week for the Jilin province of China where they will meet with government officials in an effort to develop business opportunities for the growing Latino business community. “We’ve always had to wait for opportunities,” said Harold Martinez, president of the 250-member organization. “When we (Latino business owners) get to the table, we get the crumbs,” said Martinez, owner of Able Industrial Products Inc. of South El Monte, which fabricates foam and rubber products.

“We’re going to show (the Chinese) that we have our act together, that we’re professionals,” Martinez said.

The five-person delegation was invited by the Chinese to discuss the possibility of a trade show in Jilin and other business ventures, said Carlos A. Garcia Sr., the association’s “ambassador at large.” For example, First Automobile Works of Changchun, the capital of Jilin, is looking for joint-venture partners for the production of light trucks and truck parts, he said.

Jilin officials also want to discuss establishing a “sister-state relationship” between California and Jilin to strengthen business and cultural ties, Garcia said. Although the association doesn’t represent California officials, it has been lobbying in Sacramento for the designation of Jilin as a sister state, he said.

“What we have in mind is a long-term relationship, and if a sister state comes out of these talks, that’s something else,” Garcia said. “We can’t talk for (Gov. George) Deukmejian and the Legislature.”

The Chinese invited the association members, and is paying their expenses while in China, because “they understand that Latinos in California are going to be politically strong,” Garcia said. “It’s been said that the Hispanic business community is the United State’s best-kept secret.”