Thursday, March 19, 2020

Trump considers increasing visas for foreign investors

(Source: Politico) The Trump administration is considering a controversial proposal to boost the number of visas offered to wealthy immigrants who invest money in the United States as it tries to boost a faltering economy amid the escalating coronavirus outbreak, according to four people familiar with the situation.

The proposal, which could be included in one of the Senate’s coronavirus rescue bills, would significantly boost the number of visas offered annually from 10,000 to 75,000 while halving the investment required to earn legal residence from $900,000 to $450,000, they say.Half the recipients of the EB-5 visa program — investors and their families — come from China, according to a report by the Brookings Institution think tank. Many others come from South Korea and Taiwan.

Immigration hardliners, who are generally supportive of President Donald Trump’s policies, oppose the proposal because of concerns about increasing the number of foreigners coming to the U.S., especially from China, which Trump blames for its handling of the coronavirus.

“Using a coronavirus package to give more green cards to shady investors from the country where the virus originated would be Washington at its worst,” said RJ Hauman, government relations director at the Federation for American Immigration Reform, who has been in touch with the White House and the Senate about the proposal. “If an immigration proposal doesn’t enhance public safety or protect American workers, it doesn’t belong in there. Period.”

The proposal comes as the Trump administration is putting temporary holds on other types of visas for lower-income immigrants — including agricultural workers, camp counselors and resort workers — as U.S. unemployment is expected to soar.

The administration is also considering reversing its recent decision to increase by 35,000 the number of nonagricultural seasonal workers the U.S. brings in each year, such as landscapers, crab-pickers and lifeguards, two people familiar with the situation say.

The White House did not respond to a request for comment.

Trump made cracking down on immigration the centerpiece of his 2016 campaign and a top priority of his presidency. “Our country is full,” Trump warned in April, standing at the southern border in California.

Read more: https://www.politico.com/news/2020/03/18/trump-considers-visas-foreign-investors-135985

Wednesday, November 13, 2019

Sangamon Watch Company announces official launch of its American heritage watches

(Springfield, IL) Sangamon Watch Company in Springfield, Illinois, announced today the launch of their American heritage brand to watch enthusiasts around the world. Founded in Central Illinois, Sangamon Watch Company was started by two international business travelers who often purchased luxury watches with little meaning behind them. The founders were motivated to combine high-quality watches for men and women with inspirational stories and at affordable prices. They visited the same factories that manufacture parts for many world-class brands and designed what they believe are the most inspirational watches in the USA. 

“Sangamon Watches is designed to combine quality craftsmanship and historic inspiration in each of our unique timepieces. Every collection will be designed around a special inspirational story and come with a story card to further connect our customers with the story depicted by the watch,” said Tyler McKay, Founder & CEO of Sangamon Watch Company. 


Inaugural Watch Collection

The inaugural watch called, “Lincoln’s River, is a symbolic collection inspired by a young Abraham Lincoln’s adventure on the Sangamon River. The inspiring Abe faced many hardships as a child, but the Sangamon River was a passage to a new beginning in his life. Lincoln’s River watches are laser engraved on the backside to depict Lincoln courageously guiding his flatboat down the Sangamon River in 1831. Highlights of the watch include a 42mm case made from surgical grade 316L stainless steel with a sapphire crystal glass that contains anti-reflective coating. The watch is powered by a Seiko NH35 automatic movement with 24 jewels and a 41-hour power reserve. Lincoln’s River Collection is part of the New Beginnings Series. The New Beginnings Series represents the launch of new endeavors that alters our path down life’s journeys. New Beginnings generates excitement in our spirits and propels us to be our best selves. Pre-sales are currently available on the official website and watches are expected to ship January 2020.

Behind the Name

Sangamon Watch Company is named after the Sangamon River, which runs from Central Illinois and feeds into the Mississippi River. The river was loved by Abraham Lincoln, whose family settled along the river when he was a young man. The Sangamon region was also home to one of the finest watchmakers in the United States- the Illinois Watch Company. Sangamon Watch Company’s employees work in the long shadow of President Lincoln feeling inspired by the region’s rich history. Their name, Sangamon, is proud to honor this tradition of excellence.

For more information, visit www.SangamonWatches.com.

Tuesday, October 8, 2019

Artisan Business Group to host Indo Pacific Trade and Supply Chain Conference in Los Angeles December 12, 2019

Artisan Business Group will be hosting the 2020 Forecast: US Indo-Pacific Trade and Supply Chain Forum in Los Angeles on December 12, 2019.  An event prepares your firm to effectively review and change supply chain and minimize risks in Indo Pacific region in 2020 and beyond.

US and China have engaged a trade war for almost two years now. An agreement is not expected to be signed soon. For many US and international companies conducting business in China have been facing tremendous challenges and many firms are changing their supply chains from China to Vietnam, Malaysia, Thailand, India and other Indo-Pacific countries. Companies in the US and Chinese companies doing business in the US market are also facing a variety of challenges. The Forum is aimed at helping review current Geo-politics, compliance risk, practical strategies and possible options of adjusting your supply chain from China to other Asian markets. The day event will provide an excellent networking opportunity for executives who are interested in US China trade and US Asia business changes and expansions.

Main Topics:
  • 2020 Forecast: US-China-South East Asian business trends
  • Damage control in the time of US China trade tensions
  • US-China trade risks in 2020: importing, manufacturing, relocating?
  • Hong Kong's economic and financial future: risk control for next two years
  • Short term and long term market strategies for US and international companies
  • Supply chain: exploring changes and transfers in Indo-Pacific countries
  • Compliance, cyber security and IP protection issues
  • and more...


    Register
    now for early bird rates at http://indopacific.eventbrite.com

Wednesday, September 18, 2019

ABG to organize Chinese executives to visit Panama City Panama

Artisan Business Group will be organizing a small group of executives from China to visit Panama City Panama October 28-31,2019  to explore new business and investment opportunities in Panama and the Caribbean region. Any interested parties that are interested in meeting the group, please contact us at artisanbusiness@yahoo.com.

Wednesday, May 15, 2019

Artisan Business Group to host 2019 Caribbean and Puerto Rico Investment Forum

Artisan Business Group will be hosting 2019 Caribbean and Puerto Rico Investment Forum in San Juan, Puerto Rico! The August event will cover topics such as opportunity zones, crypto and blockchain, direct investments and immigrant investments. Interested party shall contact us at

Wednesday, May 1, 2019

ABG to host US business delegation to China in September 2019

As US-China trade tensions will soon be resolved, China’s door will be wide open to US small and mid-sized enterprises.  The 2019 China Business Delegation (Sept 22-30) hosted by Artisan Business Group, Inc. provides an exclusive opportunity to explore markets in the dynamic cities of Beijing, Jining and Shanghai. The 8th annual business delegation hosted by Artisan Business Group will meet with private corporations, investment managers, law firms, business executives and government officials throughout their time in China. To learn more about registration, please contact us at artisanbusiness@yahoo.com

Monday, October 22, 2018

Chicago Workshop "Marketing Blockchain Projects and Raising International Investments" December 11, 2018

"Marketing Blockchain Projects and Raising International Investments" is coming to Chicago December 11, 2018. The Chicago workshop is organized by Blockchain China Connect and Artisan Business Group. The interactive marketing workshop for the blockchain and cryptocurrency industry will discuss how to promote your project and facilitate investment capital from across the world, with specific focus on Chinese and Asian investors. Blockchain entrepreneurs and cryptocurrency investors are expected to attend and discuss the latest market and investment trends, marketing techniques, and regulatory updates in the blockchain and cryptocurrency industry. The one-day workshop provides industry professionals and practitioners a great opportunity of peer-to-peer networking and exploring investment, business and collaborations.



Topics for the sessions will include; Current Blockchain Investment Environment and Trends in Asia and China, International Regulatory and Compliance Issues, Utilizing Local Blockchain Media to Gain Popularity, Understanding Asian Private and Institutional Investors, Launching ICOs and Getting Listed and Traded, and International Negotiations and Partnership. Expert speakers and panelists include Brian Su of Artisan Business Group, Tyler McKay of Blockchain China Connect, Andy Wang of FutureChain and Rob Tiv of Sonic Messenger. Industry media partners from China and the US will cover the event.

The Chicago blockchain marketing workshop will focus on how ICOs, STOs and Blockchain focused projects can raise investment through road shows, private meetings with investors and international institutional partnerships. There will be lively discussions about the future of Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin including conversation about the most popular coins in China such as NEO, VeChain, Wanchain, EOS and more. Other topics include updates on Chinese cryptocurrency regulations, and US securities & regulations impacting ICO such as Reg D., Reg S. Reg A+, KYC and AML.

Sponsors are welcome to contact us for promotional packages! The official venue for the event is Hilton Garden Inn- Chicago O’Hare Airport. 

Official agenda, registration and more details can be found on event website http://www.BlockchainChinaConnect.com.

Sunday, August 19, 2018

China’s biggest ever bitcoin theft of US$87 million in cryptocurrency

(Source: South China Morning Post) Three men have been detained on suspicion of hacking into computers and stealing about 600 million yuan (US$87 million) worth of virtual currency, police in northwest China said.

The case is the highest value cryptocurrency criminal investigation in China so far, officers in Xian told Huashang News on Saturday.

The police started investigating the case in March when a man from the city complained his computer had been hacked and 100 million yuan in bitcoin and ethereum had been stolen.
“Our bureau has not dealt with this kind of case before,” one officer told the newspaper. “It’s the first virtual currency-related case in Shaanxi.”

Only two days left!  Join us to meet with Mr. Dong at the 2018 US China Blockchain and Digital Currency Conference in Los Angeles on August 22, last chance book your ticket now at http://www.BlockchainChinaConnect.com

After an initial investigation, police found the suspects had remotely hacked the virtual currency account.Police tracked down the suspects after three months with the help of several Chinese internet companies and arrested the hackers two months later on August 15. The officer also said the complex technology involved makes it easy for expert hackers to cover their tracks.  Read more report by South China Morning Post here.