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ASIAN CHAMBER WELCOMES ALL

By Paul Fitzgerald Bennett

Elsie Huang is a woman who has no time for chit chat. Recently, a New Majority reporter paid a visit to discuss The Asian Chamber of Commerce of which she sit's as president. When the reporter's pen wasn't able to keep up with Ms. Huang's words, the 50 something year old Chinese American got downright pushy.

"Okay, Paul what's your next question?" insisted Ms. Huang.

Such is to be expected from a lady who sits on several Houston boards including the Port of Houston, Better Business Bureau and the Mayor's International Council. Without a doubt, however, her duties as leader of the 750 plus member chamber takes precedent.

"In the last three years we have really grown," said Ms. Huang.

Founded in 1990, the main purpose of the chamber is to promote and facilitate commerce and trade between Houston and the countries of Asia. The chamber also works with other local chambers of commerce and civic organizations to foster economic development in the Houston area Asian American communities.

"We also have good relationships with Houston Community College and the University of Houston," said Ms. Huang.

Ms. Huang takes particular pride with the chamber's assistance in helping develop several small businesses in the Houston area. "Asian businesses have grown tremendously in the past ten years," said Ms. Huang. Specifically, she cites restaurants and nail salons dominated by Vietnamese immigrants and several grocery and flower shops where Chinese immigrants show their talent. Ms. Huang says there is no secret why some immigrants are able to start a business soon after arriving in America.

"These are some of the easiest businesses to start.

And usually the busy owners had similar businesses in their country of origin," said Ms. Huang who adds that having established family relationships can add to business success. Ms. Huang says Asian immigrants from India are the second largest immigrant group from Asia behind Vietnam. The employment of Indian doctors has eased shortages in that field of employment in America said Ms. Huang. Ms. Huang says it still shocks some people to discover that countries such as India, Israel, Pakistan and Palestine are in Asia and that the citizens of those countries are Asian.

"I think it has to do with the way we look. When you see a Chinese or a Japanese person you automatically think Asian. But people who live in the Middle East are Asian also," said Ms. Huang.

Ms. Huang says regardless of your continent of origin when starting a business it's important to survey your business market of choice. "And if they are not sure about that market, they can always come in and talk to us about it. And we're here not only for Asian immigrants, but for anyone interested in starting a business," said Ms. Huang. Recently, Ms. Huang had an encounter with would be business owners who want to start a news letter covering the Asian community. They had no idea where to start. "We told them to talk to the business people in the area.

Everything starts with communications," said Ms. Huang. The hotbed area when it comes to Asian American businesses in Houston is in the Bellaire and Corporate Drive area. In June, The Asian Chamber of Commerce will find itself in two new business condos near the Sam Houston Toll and Bellaire. "We've already raised $375,000. But we need $275,000 more," said Ms. Huang, who added that the original Chinatown area in downtown Houston continues to do well also. The Asian Chamber of Commerce also has its attention on the upcoming International Festival in April which features China.

On Friday, April 27, The Asian Chamber of Commerce will honor Dr. Paul C.W. Chu at its 12th annual gala. And in September the chamber plans to take part in a trade mission to China. "Our work here is continuous," said Ms. Huang, which helps explain her impatience with a reporter whose pen wasn't fast enough to keep up with her words. For more information about The Asian Chamber of Commerce call 713-782-7222 or contact the website at http://www.asianchamber-hou.org.txt