Gary K. Bertsch, director of UGA’s Center for International Trade and Security, will take part in the Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference 2008 in Boao, China, April 10-13.
Bertsch will join business leaders on a panel to address the challenge facing Asian companies to adopt and demonstrate increasing standards of social, environmental and ethical performance.
Boao Forum for Asia is considered the premier forum for leaders in government, business and academia from Asia and other continents. The four-day conference, entitled “Green Asia: Moving Towards a Win-Win Through Changes,” represents the mounting pressure for companies in the region to adopt more socially responsible business practices. Panel sessions will focus on such topics as green energy, financial reform and innovation, socially responsible investing, climate change and business, sustainable development and trade.
“Companies based in Asia are becoming more sensitive to the interests of their society and the global community,” said Bertsch. “There is a gradual shift taking place, an increased recognition that they need to comply with their laws, those of other countries and international norms.”
Recognized as the top research and training institution on export control and nonproliferation, CITS has more than 20 years of experience providing training and assistance to corporations, nongovernmental organizations, universities and governments around the world in an effort to promote best practices in the field of export controls. In recent years, the center has specialized in the study and research of export control policies, laws and regulations, and enforcement practices in China-making it one of the few institutions in the world carefully engaged in such study and research.
In 2006, CITS was approached by China North Industries Group, the import/export and marketing company under one of China’s top state-owned holding companies, to assist the company in bringing its export controls up to international standards.
“Our experience in working with NORINCO is that they are stepping up on the issue of export control and have the potential to become a global leader in corporate compliance in strategic trade controls,” said Bertsch.
With two full-time export control professionals working in their Beijing office, the center is involved in advanced research in China and is using this research to promote strategic trade awareness and compliance in China and around the world.
“Our work in China may be the most important and gratifying of my professional career,” said Bertsch. “We have been provided access, and we have gotten traction. Experts in Beijing and Washington, D.C., testify that CITS’ work in China is helping Chinese corporate and governmental leaders become more responsible partners in international trade.”
