Chinese investment in the U.S.

(Source: China Daily) Inbound investment from China has been steadily increasing over the last decade.  Since year 2000 through the 3rd quarter of 2012, Chinese companies have invested and/or acquired in 593 deals in the U.S. with a total value of $22.6 billion. California, New York, Texas, Illinois, Michigan, North Carolina, New Jersey, Georgia, Washington, and Virginia are the top ten states that attracted Chinese investment.  China's biggest US manufacturing investment is a $1.3 billion plant in Gregory (TX) to produce seamless-steel pipe for oil and gas.  Set for completion is in 2014, the plant will create up to 2,000 local construction jobs and 300 manufacturing jobs in its first year of operation.

Investment by Industry (in $mil)

Aero, Auto & Transport: 60 deals / $1,541
Consumer Products: 80 deals / $441
Electronic and IT: 142 deals / $3,357
Finance & Business Services: 55 deals / $348
Fossil Fuels & Chemicals" 45 deals / $8,277
Health, Bio & Pharma: 38 deals / $591
Hospitality & Real Estate: 21 deals / $3,849
Industrial Machinery: 67 deals / $3,051
Logistics: 18 deals / $23
Metals and Minerals: 22 deals / $419
Renewable Energy: 45 deals / $729

2013 Predictions: EB-5 projects in Chinese investor market

2012 has been a great year for Chinese EB-5 investors!  Chinese market continues to be the largest marketplace for EB-5 Regional Center Program. EB-5 investors in China have becoming more sophisticated than ever. Many of investors typically participated in as many as ten or more project seminars prior to making a final choice and decision. Some EB-5 regional center projects did very well in the Chinese market, just name a few such as FBI regional headquarters office building, City Market, DC Fire Station, Geothermal Power Plant, SLS Casino & Hotel, etc. Many of the popular and best selling projects are our consulting clients, we are very proud of them being successful in raising much needed EB-5 capital for the projects. New kids on the block Seattle Stadium Place, Klasuser Sawmill in FL, and direct EB-5 projects Lucky's Farmers Market (all of them are our consulting clients) are now on the right track of raising EB-5 monies as their promotional seminars are already under way in China. They will be the raising stars in 2013 spring season and will get all subscriptions sold by leading Chinese emigration agents.

Based on recent market analysis, we have made following predictions for Chinese market:  
1)  EB-5 program is the number one option for Chinese immigrant investors to consider, however many of them may choose other international programs instead, such as programs in Australia,  Cyprus, or even St. Kitts.
 
2) Hotel projects continue to occupy the majority of market share in China, however assisted living/memory care, skilled nursing facilities,  manufacturing/industrial facilities, charter schools will be becoming more popular among investors in 2013.

3) Direct EB-5 projects will be receiving extra attention from emigration brokers and investors. Direct EB-5 projects, especially name-brand franchises and chain stores, will gain additional market share in China.  

4) Projects with any potential tenant occupancy issues are not favored by Chinese emigration agents and investors. EB-5 developers shall avoid shopping centers, shopping malls, or any lease based projects at this point.  

5) Some projects will take longer to secure EB-5 funds or simply fail to raising any capital due to facing strong competitions and lack of understanding of the market mechanism.

For assistance in marketing your new EB-5 projects in China, please contact us at info@artisanbusinessgroup.com or call Tyler McKay at 217-899-6661, we are always looking for a few good projects.

China issues major holiday dates for 2013

(Source: China Daily)
The State Council has issued major holiday dates for 2013.

The New Year's Day holiday will last three days, from Jan 1 to 3, and people will need to work on Jan 5 (Saturday) and 6 (Sunday).

The Spring Festival (Chinese New Year) holiday will last seven days, from Feb 9 to 15, with Feb 16 (Saturday) and 17 (Sunday) as working days. The Spring Festival Eve falls on Feb 9.
The holiday for Tomb-Sweeping Day will be from April 4 to 6, with April 7 (Sunday) as a working day.

The holiday for Labor Day will be from April 29 to May 1, with the pervious Saturday and Sunday as working days.

The Dragon Boat Festival, which is held across China to pay homage to ancient patriotic poet Qu Yuan, will be from June 10 to 12. The previous Saturday and Sunday will be working days.
The Mid-Autumn Festival will be from Sept 19 to Sept 21. The following Sunday will be a working day.

The National Day lasts for seven days, from Oct 1 to Oct 7. The previous Sunday and the following Saturday will be working days.