DETROIT, April 30, 2009- In a shrinking economy, it's more important than ever for businesses to seek out new markets, and the Chinese Business Forum at TechTown can help entrepreneurs do just that. Dr. Mulugetta Birru, an economic development and trade expert, will lead the forum's May meeting in a discussion of Wayne County's trade missions to China and how local businesses can profit from them.
Created by TechTown in conjunction with the Wayne State University Confucius Institute, the Chinese Business Forum facilitates the exchange of information and business opportunities between Southeastern Michigan and China. This forum meets quarterly and is free and open to the public.
The next Chinese Business Forum will be held Tuesday, May 12, 2009 from 9:00 to 10:30 a.m. at TechTown, 440 Burroughs Street, Detroit, Michigan 48202. A light breakfast will be provided. There is no cost for attending the event.
People can register for the event at http://events.wayne.edu/techtown/view/14181/date/51723/.
The Chinese Business Forum is sponsored by Corp! magazine, http://www.corpmagazine.com/.
The forum's Web site provides lists of useful online resources for entrepreneurs interested in exploring Chinese markets, plus downloads of past forums' presentations. The site address is http://techtownwsu.org/about/chinese_business_club.php.
Dr. Mulugetta Birru, President and CEO, MB & Associates, LLC will be delivering a talk titled, "Opening the Gateway to China: Seizing Opportunity in Crisis."
Mulu Birru is President and CEO of MB & Associates, LLC with Wayne County as a major client. From July 2004 to December 2008, he served as the newly formed Greater Wayne Economic Development Corporation and Director of the Department of Economic Development for Wayne County.
From July 1992 to July 2004, he served as the executive director of the Pittsburgh Urban Redevelopment Authority, and within this period he also assumed the dual responsibility as director of the Allegheny County Economic Development Department. He spearheaded more than $4 billion worth of projects including the development of the stadium for the Steelers, the ball park for the Pirates, a new convention center, development around the airport, redevelopment of more than 1,000 acres of former steel mill sites into high-tech parks, corporate and regional headquarters, and other mixed use developments.
His tenure includes serving as CEO of the National Chemicals Corporation, Deputy CEO of National Beverages Corporation, and Senior Vice President of the Agricultural and Industrial Investment Bank, all in his native country of Ethiopia.
Birru holds a BA in business administration from Addis Ababa University, a Masters degree in economics, an MBA in finance from Syracuse University, and a Ph.D in public and international affairs with a focus on development economics from the University of Pittsburgh.
ABOUT TECHTOWN
TechTown is an urban community of entrepreneurs, investors, mentors and corporate partners creating an internationally influential village in Detroit. TechTown brings the resources of Wayne State University to high-technology startup companies to diversify and strengthen Michigan's economy in high-growth emerging industries. For more information, visit http://www.techtownwsu.org/