SAN MATEO, CA – Last week, Asian Inc. and the U.S. Department of Commerce, Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) business centers hosted a group of Asian business leaders, including representatives from California Center for a round table discussion with newly appointed Executive Director, Holly Ham, White House Initiative on Asian American & Pacific Islanders. The leaders discussed perspectives on the AAPI landscape and relationships with federal government that impact local business and educational communities.

Among the issues raised during the discussion by the leaders present were: ways to strengthen the U.S. economy, cutting unnecessary and over-burdensome regulations on Asian businesses, improving the educational environment, cyber-security concerns, technology transfer from universities, and infrastructure investment planned by the federal government.

California Center Vice President Gordon Hinkle specifically noted at the meeting his concerns that many companies working to clean up our environment and reduce carbon output are constantly bombarded with regulations and procedures at both the state and federal level that limit application of innovative new technologies. Director Ham took note of the concern and responded that the White House is doing everything in its power to reduce over-regulation so businesses can thrive and also pointed to the role of the White House Office of American Innovation which is striving to help keep advancement of technologies progressing.

Ms. Shirley Gee, Chief Strategy Officer at DeltaTrak, Inc. and former Stanford University Professor also raised similar concerns about technology transfer from Universities into industry. Ms. Gee noted that too much useful information is sitting on the shelf in our nation’s universities. Director Ham took careful note of the issues raised and committed to helping bring such concerns to light both at the White House and at Federal Agency levels which was encouraging to the attendees.

Other noted participants at the meeting included leaders from the National Asian Chamber of Commerce and Entrepreneurship (ACE), the Asian Pacific Islander American Public Affairs (APAPA), Google, Air Bnb, and several top California Asian-owned business leaders.