California real estate opportunities attract Asian investors - PRWeb

Springfield, IL (PRWEB) May 15, 2012

The 2nd Chinese Investment in the US Real Estate Forum is to be drawing U.S. real estate developers, property owners, financial advisors, attorneys, investment bankers, and industry executives, and venture capitalists, among others, to be educated on the latest happenings in China-US real estate investment. The June 21, 2012 event, which will take place in Los Angeles, will be centered on real estate investments pouring in from China. Rapid growth in the Chinese economy has created a strong demand for the US real estate market. The number of wealthy Chinese is growing at 9.7% annually, according to the GroupM Knowledge - Hurun Wealth Report 2011. Additionally, Merrill Lynch and Capgemini’s Asia-Pacific Wealth Report 2008 shows that in 2007, high net-worth individuals in China placed 21% of their assets in real estate versus a worldwide average of 14%. The preference the wealthy Chinese show in real estate, along with the current drop in housing prices and a steady RMB, have made real estate investment in the U.S. more appealing than ever before.

In the U.S., the Chinese are now the second-largest foreign buyers of homes, behind Canadians, accounting for $7.4 billion of sales in the 12 months ended March 2011, up 24% from the previous 12 months, according to the National Association of Realtors. Buyers from China and Hong Kong also spent $1.71 billion on commercial property in the U.S. in 2011, more than quadruple their investment in 2008, says Real Capital Analytics. Chinese investors are interested in commercial projects, residential properties, hotels, golf courses, clubs, land, industrial warehouses, office buildings, and shopping centers. The Forum aims to help U.S. companies and individuals tap into more of this Chinese capital.

This year’s day-long event will feature some of the most experienced and knowledgeable individuals in the real estate industry. Scheduled speakers include Mr. Brian Su, CEO of Artisan Business Group, Inc. Mr. Guy Maisnik, Attorney and Partner Jeffer Mangels Bulter & Mitchell LLP (JMBM), Mr. Bernard P. Wolfsdorf, Managing Partner & Attorney, Wolfsdorf Immigration Law Group, Mr. David Appel, CPA & Senior Partner, Marcum LLP and Mr. Kevin Wright, President, Wright Johnson LLC Marcum LLP., and others

According to Mr. Brian Su, CEO of Artisan Business Group, Inc.,“Individuals or businesses looking for capital investment should not miss this important opportunity to network and make connections that will benefit their needs.”

This year’s event is being hosted by Artisan Business Group, Inc., and sponsored by USA Continental Regional Center, LLC., will be held at the Embassy Suites LA International Airport/North, from 9:00 am – 4:30 pm, June 21, 2012. Those attending the event also have the opportunity to meet the prior day with Artisan Business Group’s CEO, Mr. Brian Su, for a 1-hour private consultation. Additional information regarding the event, registration, or a private consultation with Mr. Su, please visit: http://www.attractasianInvestors.com.

Press Contact:
Brian Su
217-303-5393
http://www.AttractAsianInvestors.com

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New incentives to attract business to Scrabster

Scrabster Harbour is one of four enterprise areas in the Highlands and Islands.

MEASURES aimed at attracting new business opportunities to Scrabster harbour have been unveiled by the Scottish Government.

Finance minister John Swinney outlined a range of new business incentives that are available to encourage private investment in each of Scotland’s four new enterprise areas.

Actions to stimulate investment include business rate discounts worth up to £275,000 per business or enhanced capital allowances; new streamlined planning protocols across all sites; skills and training support and an international marketing campaign to promote the sites.

Mr Swinney said that as an enterprise area, the Scottish Government is doing all it can to support jobs and secure new investment at Scrabster.

“To help stimulate private investment, we have established a range of incentives and a commitment to deliver next generation broadband to these sites before 2015,” he said.

“The Scottish Government has worked closely with our enterprise agencies to select these sites, which are strategic locations for some of our key growth sectors.

“Our enterprise areas are now open for business and Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise will work closely with local authorities and the business community to maximise the economic potential of each site.”

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Pa. tax legislation could attract Shell refinery - CNBC

PITTSBURGH - New legislation in Pennsylvania could help the state compete with Ohio and West Virginia for a huge petrochemical refinery by offering millions of dollars in tax breaks for big businesses.

A bill would expand Keystone Opportunity Zones, which grant broad tax cuts and exemptions to spur economic development, the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review (http://bit.ly/yNHPc3) reported Saturday.

Businesses that invest at least $1 billion and create at least 400 permanent, full-time jobs would get an extra five years of tax breaks — 15 years in all — under provisions in the bill.

The bill is moving toward passage as state officials court Shell Oil Co., the paper reported. Shell plans to spend as much as $4 billion to build a plant known as an "ethane cracker" to process natural gas from the region and turn it into such products as plastics.

Offering a sweetened Keystone Opportunity Zone is probably the best way to compete with Ohio and West Virginia, several former state economic officials told the paper.

West Virginia's Legislature on Wednesday passed Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin's proposal to slash property taxes for 25 years for any business that invests at least $2 billion toward building a cracker in that state. Tomblin signed it into law before heading to Houston on Thursday to promote West Virginia in the cracker chase. Ohio is also believed to be offering major incentives.

The Opportunity Zones have "been the most powerful tool we have had in competing for business," said state Sen. John Blake, D-Scranton, a co-sponsor of the bill and former acting secretary of the Department of Community and Economic Development. "The benefits of the KOZ are powerful enough that they'll drive a business decision."

The legislation awaits a vote by the House Appropriations Committee, and leaders plan to bring it up when they resume work next month, said House Republican spokesman Stephen Miskin.

Industry estimates suggest the ethane cracker would generate thousands of construction jobs and attract many smaller manufacturers to the region.

Shell officials have said they plan to announce their site choice in the next month or two.

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Information from: Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, http://pghtrib.com

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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