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May we approach the new year with confidence, hope and resilience. On behalf of the Mayor and all of us at MOTIA, we wish you all the best in the days and new year ahead.
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Message from the Director
Dear Friends of the Mayor’s Office of Trade and International Affairs (MOTIA),

The end of a year is a time to look back, reflect on achievements, and to look forward to what we want to accomplish in the coming year. Above everything else, our hearts go out to those that have lost their loved ones during this global pandemic, and we wish the best of health and safety to everyone.

The global health crisis reaffirmed our commitment to our international partnerships. Among our initiatives in 2020, MOTIA: hosted a COVID-19 leadership learning seminar between Houston health leaders and our partners in Shanghai, China; co-hosted virtual investment and trade missions to the Netherlands and Japan; celebrated the signing of the USMCA trade agreement; facilitated donations of more than 750,000 PPE items graciously given by our Consulates, partner cities, and communities across the globe; welcomed the Vice President of El Salvador; co-hosted the second U20 Sherpa Meeting; participated in webinars on trade and international affairs; expanded our sister city relationships by welcoming Ulsan, South Korea as our 19th sister city; and continued to be a leading voice in the energy transition together with the World Energy Cities Partnership.

Through this international engagement, we have brought new economic, cultural, and political ties to Houston. As we move ahead to 2021, we are looking forward to hosting global events including the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo (HLSR), Offshore Technology Conference (OTC) and CERAWeek, building on a new youth ambassador program, strengthening ties with Africa on energy, and welcoming the world to Houston for the World Petroleum Conference (WPC) in December 2021.

May we approach the new year with confidence, hope and resilience. On behalf of the Mayor and all of us at MOTIA, we wish you all the best in the days and new year ahead.

Sincerely,




Christopher Olson

Director, Mayor's Office of Trade and International Affairs


Mayor Sylvester Turner's 2020 Consular Ball
The Houston Consular Ball exemplifies Houston’s spirit of vitality and global engagement, as well as its tireless commitment to progress, whether it is in the fields of space exploration, technology, medicine, energy, or the arts. Normally held each year as a white-tie gala, this December Mayor Sylvester Turner honored the more than 90 consulates with representation in Houston by hosting a virtual Consular Ball. We welcomed remarks by the Vice Dean of the Consular Corps, our Consular Ball Underwriters Chevron and Houston First, and concluded with Mayor Turner providing a toast to commemorate the occasion. Thank you to our sponsors for your continued support, and to the Houston Consular Corps for all that you do to enrich Houston and our city’s residents.
Investment and Trade Mission to Japan
MOTIA together with the Greater Houston Partnership and the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) hosted a bi-lateral, virtual trade mission to Japan. The trade mission focused on the themes of transportation, resiliency, and economic development to align with Mayor Sylvester Turner’s priorities.

It was kicked off with a virtual flight hosted by All Nippon Airways to celebrate the new round-trip flights between Houston and Tokyo's Haneda airport. Leadership meetings with the Mayor of our Sister City of Chiba, JETRO, Mitsubishi Corporation, Toshiba Corporation, and the Japan America Society of Houston (JASH) highlighted the robust partnership between Houston and Japan. The mission culminated in a Trade and Investment Seminar with over 300 Japanese investors scouting Houston as their next business destination.

Japan is Houston’s 9th largest trading partner. For the past 10 years, trade between Houston and Japan averaged $5.8 billion annually and was valued at $9.2 billion in 2019. There are over 70 Japanese companies with a business presence in Houston and the surrounding area. This trade mission further cultivated Houston’s strong relationship to Japan and explored new business opportunities that may enhance the local economy, creating jobs and investment across the city.
Ulsan, South Korea: New Sister City and PPE Donation
Houston is proud of our sister city relationships, where each connection is a stepping stone towards promoting citizen diplomacy and people to people exchanges. Through Mayor Turner's recommendation, Houston City Council moved to formally establish Ulsan as Houston's 19th sister city. This milestone would not have been possible without the dedication and support by the Consulate General of Korea in Houston, numerous Korea community leaders, and the Korean-American Association and Community Center of Houston (KAACCH).

On November 30, Mayor Sylvester Turner met with the Consul General of Korea and representatives of the Houston Ulsan Committee to express our gratitude to the people of Ulsan for their donation of 48,300 PPE masks. This is the third donation our city received from the Korean community in Houston and abroad. Thank you to the City of Ulsan and the over 35,000 Koreans living in Houston for their generosity. This truly signifies the commitment to the strong and meaningful relationship between Ulsan and Houston.
JASH 52nd Anniversary Virtual Celebration Event
In honor of the 52nd anniversary of the Japan-America Society of Houston (JASH), Mayor Sylvester Turner joined the JASH virtual program to celebrate the resilience of the U.S.-Japan alliance, and to recognize individuals and organizations who have made important contributions to strengthening ties between the two countries in Texas. Congratulations to the Consul General of Japan in Houston, T.H. Hideo Fukushima, on receiving the J. Thomas Schieffer Leadership Award in recognition of his exemplary efforts to create an environment supportive of a full range of Japan’s security, economic, political and cultural ties with America.  We also congratulate the Japan Business Association of Houston on their receipt of the Houston-Japan Friendship Award in recognition of the organization’s tremendous support to the Greater Houston COVID-19 Recovery Fund and the Harris Health COVID-19 Response Fund.  Thank you to JASH and the Japanese community in Houston for your continued support and friendship! Missed the event? View the full recording here.
The company that literally started Silicon Valley is moving to the Houston area
MOTIA welcomes Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) to Houston! The company will relocate its global headquarters from San Jose, California to the Houston area, in north Harris County. “HPE's move to Texas is hardly a new concept in the tech world. It's the largest — but just the latest — tech company to make the trip south...”

This announcement comes after our October virtual trade mission to Silicon Valley, where a delegation led by Mayor Sylvester Turner and GHP President Bob Harvey met with HPE CEO Antonio Neri and HPE's leadership team. We look forward to expanding our work with HPE and stand ready to support additional technology companies in their move to Houston. Read more here.
 
The Mayor’s Office of Trade and International Affairs (MOTIA) serves as the City’s international liaison, forming an important link between Houstonians and the world. Whether welcoming heads of state, establishing numerous diplomatic ties, attracting foreign investment or assisting Houston businesses seeking markets abroad, our office works to realize Mayor Sylvester Turner’s vision of an ever more global Houston. Learn more

MOTIA's Trade and International Affairs Calendar
Visit our calendar page to learn more about Houston's trade and international events, or complete the form to have your next trade or international affairs event featured on MOTIA's Trade and International Affairs Calendar.

MOTIA sends out this monthly newsletter to subscribers. If this was forwarded to you, subscribe to receive it directly to your inbox.
 
 
 
 
Mayor's Office of Trade and International Affairs (MOTIA)
Houston City Hall
901 Bagby St, 4th Floor
Houston, Texas 77002

motia@houstontx.gov
www.houstontx.gov/motia



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