RIIG serves clients from the public and private sectors in Rhode Island seeking to expand sustainable trade, investment, tourism and educational collaboration with customers and partners in China. RIIG offers consulting service in key areas related to doing business in China including commercial representation and promotion, market research, entry, expansion, logistics and operational support, legal and regulatory advice, strategic partnering, green business solutions, and digital marketing. RIIG is a member of the Council of American States in China (CASIC), and collaborates directly with the U.S. Commercial Service and the United States Embassy in Beijing in support of US companies seeking expanded trade and investment from China. RIIG is a sponsor of the upcoming World Trade Day at Bryant University on May 22nd.
RIIG’s three founders are Rhode Island natives who joined together to form the company based on a shared concern for RI’s economic future and a commitment to sustainable development. They include Peter Arpin, a partner in Arpin Group, the Rhode Island-based global relocation and moving company, Seth Handy, a lawyer with a 20 year track record in energy, land use and real estate, environmental, finance, municipal, commercial and litigation matters, and Mike Pereira, a World Bank veteran and digital marketing executive who has been living and working in Beijing for 5 years.
“We love Rhode Island, and this seemed like the natural thing to do, given our respective backgrounds and the urgency of Rhode Island’s economic concerns,” said Mike Pereira, RIIG’s Managing Partner. “We understand this is just one small piece of the economic development puzzle, but we feel we can make a positive contribution that complements the great work being done by our colleagues in this space. We think China is the logical starting place, given RI exports to China have grown 5 times faster than with the rest of the world. China’s appetite for imports is only going to increase, and we should be there to help make sure Rhode Island businesses are benefiting and preserving and creating jobs.” He added, “Developing our relationship with China across trade, investment, tourism, and education will position Rhode Islanders well for dealing effectively with the world’s second largest economy, which is likely to become the largest in a just a few years.”
“We believe the Rhode Island brand uniquely distinguishes us in the market place, given the many assets of the state and its optimal location between Boston and New York,” explained Peter Arpin. “Moreover, we have a keen interest and are uniquely qualified to advance projects in clean tech and alternative energy. Our trade office expects to be an engine of clean growth and a nexus between continents for connecting buyers and sellers within the green economy.”
Seth Handy added, “RIIG will help businesses and people seize the opportunities in efficient commerce and living in better balance with our natural environment. We are convinced that a vibrant economy is evolving out of new perspectives and innovation – both here and abroad – around waste minimization and resource conservation and optimization. We will work with our clients to realize the benefits of this promising and essential evolution.”
More information
For additional information please contact infoRI@usworldlink.com.
