A 47-year-old woman whose CT scan shows several pulmonary nodules visits a doctor in Shanghai. The doctor, who that day may have seen as many as 200 patients, tells her she mostly likely has cancerous lesions in her lungs and will need chemotherapy and surgery to remove all 7 of them. He doesn’t perform a biopsy. Fortunately, this woman is one of a growing number of people in China who are seeking medical care in the United States, and can afford it. In her case, a medical tourism agent in China reached out to Ruth Wu, President of Premier Global Care (PGC) and Ruth stepped into action. After an appointment with a pulmonary doctor at Penn Medicine, it was determined that the woman did not require chemotherapy or surgery, as the lesions were too small and low in density to be diagnosed as malignant. Instead, the doctor told her not to worry and suggested a six-month follow-up. Premier Global Care, a newly created medical tourism company was established to fill the growing need and desire for China’s growing middle class to receive life saving medical care in the United States. China’s medical care procedures are standardized and due to high volume, doctors are forced to seek the fastest treatments, leading to increased medical errors. Every year an average of 60,000 Chinese seek medical assistance abroad, especially for conditions related to China’s pollution problem. A recent article in Time Magazine reported that by 2020 lung cancer cases in China are expected to top 800,000.
For the past year, PGC has been working in China to create personalized medical tourism packages for Chinese people seeking anything from critical medical care and In Vitro Fertilization to corporate executive physical exams. Once a patient has connected with PGC, Ruth Wu will work with her team to create a personalized package. First step to a personalized package – review the patient’s medical records and connect with the hospital in Philadelphia (or other US city) most suitable for the patient’s case to come up with the best treatment plan. After discussing the plan with the patient and his/her family, the PGC team will handle all necessary details which may include: obtaining a Visa; arranging housing and transportation to and from hospital and doctor appointments; providing translation services, organizing tourist excursions for family members, and providing other needs such as weekly food shopping. Once the patient returns to China, PGC continues to provide assistance with prescription refills; medical report translation and other needs that may arise such as remote follow up sessions. PGC has brought over 30 patients from China to the United States, most often to Philadelphia. In Philadelphia, Ruth Wu works closely with Philadelphia International Medicine, which matches international patients and physicians with access to a network of world-renowned doctors, surgeons and hospitals. Sometimes time is of the essence, as in the case of a three year old girl who had received radiation in China for a tumor that was growing inside her mouth. Unfortunately, by the time the toddler arrived at New York’s Lenox Hill hospital, the cancer had advanced and doctors were unable to save her life. “I accompanied Baby Yao to Lennox Hill Hospital. It was heart breaking to see that we got to Yao, a precious 3 year old, too late for treatment. I ask myself often what if her parents had sought out help a few months earlier,” says Dr. John Bennett, CEO of Premier Global Care. ” PGC is currently managing 4 patients in the Unites States and their prognosis is great. One of those patients is a 34- year old woman who was recently diagnosed in China with cirrhosis of the liver. Chinese doctors told her that she had ten years to live. Follow-up tests in the United States determined she did not have cirrhosis of the liver – she was fine. “She and her husband are so happy about this result” says Ruth Wu. “I have a mission now to help more patients to get the proper care and to avoid unnecessary procedures.” About Premier Global Care (PGC) Premier Global Care is a medical tourism company leveraging Devon International Group’s years of experience in the healthcare and medical industries. PGC is dedicated to advanced medical treatment and personalized patient services. About Devon International Group (DIG) www.devonintlgroup.com DIG is a multinational group of businesses spanning the healthcare, information technology, manufacturing, and international industries. DIG’s nine companies employ over 500 people in 20 countries. The Group routinely partners with entities ranging from small private companies to Fortune 500 enterprises to help achieve its goals of driving affordability and access in healthcare, technology and other industries. DIG has built an extensive relationship in northern, mid and southern China over the past 15 years, and has an office in Shanghai and a factory in Nantong.
Exclusive Offer for World Trade Center of Greater Philadelphia Members Only! We’ve partnered with the Pyramid Club to give WTC Philadelphia members an opportunity to meet, network and take advantage of the many conveniences offered when you need to take care of business - downtown! “My office is in the suburbs but I often have to meet clients in Philadelphia. I recently joined the Pyramid Club through my [WTC Philadelphia] membership and I have already hosted a series of meetings, used the discounted parking and have impressed new clients with my new “downtown meeting place,” says Jeff Ji, President U-Combination Technology. “And I’m starting to meet new potential clients.” Here’s what you get with Pyramid Club Philadelphia Membership:
For an additional $50 per month you can upgrade to O.N.E membership which offers:
*Eligible parties include primary holder plus one additional executive from each individual member company. If the primary holder is already a Pyramid Club member, this offer can be extended to another executive within the company. Primary holder benefits include children under 23 and spouse. **Existing Pyramid Club members are not eligible.
Beginning on Jan. 1, 2017, the standard mileage rates for the use of a car (also vans, pickups or panel trucks) will be:
Read Full IRS Announcement
The Conference of Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Governors and Premiers (CGLSLGP) is accepting registrations for these upcoming Trade Missions:
Global Cities Initiative, Greater Washington, DC meets with World Trade Center Philadelphia12/6/2016
Harrisburg, PA — Governor Tom Wolf today announced a comprehensive Capital Investment Program at the Port of Philadelphia that will result in more than $300 million in investment in the Port’s infrastructure, warehousing, and equipment. This initiative, which will start next year and continue through 2020, will double container capacity, position the Port for future growth, create thousands of jobs, improve efficiency, and increase tax revenues. “This capital investment program will give the Port of Philadelphia the tools it needs to improve its competitive position and create thousands of family-sustaining, middle class jobs while increasing state revenues,” said Governor Wolf. “With its major economic impacts throughout the state, my administration understands the value of Pennsylvania’s port asset in Philadelphia.” The program, ranking among the largest investments by a state on the East Coast, will boost three of the busiest sectors of the Port of Philadelphia, including the Packer Avenue Marine Terminal, the Port’s automobile-handling operation, and the Tioga Marine Terminal. “I thank Governor Wolf for this significant investment, and I look forward to working with him and the PRPA to see that this financial support leads to thousands of family sustaining jobs for Philadelphians,” said Philadelphia Mayor James F. Kenney. “This is a tremendous opportunity for our city.” These improvements will result in doubling container capacity at the Port, provide increased breakbulk (non-containerized) cargo capacity, and bring a substantial increase in automobile-handling capacity. A total direct job increase of 70 percent is projected from the current level of 3,124 to a projected 5,378 direct jobs. Total employment at the Port will also increase, from 10,341 to 17,020, and state and local tax revenues generated will increase from the current $69.6 million to $108.4 million annually.
As the latest example of the successful public/private partnerships at the Port, Astro Holdings, Inc., the Tenant of the Packer Avenue Marine Terminal, will also purchase one of the Post-Panamax container cranes for the terminal, as well as dedicating significant privately-owned port acreage, in the form of the Holt-owned 40-acre “Publicker” site located next to the Packer Avenue facility, for container growth through Packer Avenue Marine Terminal. Officials of the Philadelphia Regional Port Authority (PRPA) expect that these improvements will result in no less than a doubling of the cargo-handling capacity at the terminal, already the busiest and most multi-use terminal at the Port of Philadelphia. Container-handling capacity will especially increase, with a 900,000 TEU capacity immediately resulting from the improvements, scalable to exceed 1.2 million TEU capacity in the future, a significant improvement over the terminal’s current 400,000-plus TEU capacity. The improvements at the Packer Avenue Marine Terminal, the Port’s primary container facility, will occur at about the time that the Delaware Main Channel Deepening Project, which is deepening the Port’s main shipping channel from 40 to 45 feet, will be completed. The larger, deeper-draft container vessels that will be able to reach the Port because of the deepening project (as well as a recently improved Panama Canal) will now find a terminal that is especially prepared for their needs. “Our thanks to the Governor for his belief in the ability of the Port to grow and compete,” said Tom Holt, Jr. of Holt Logistics, the parent company of Greenwich Terminals, LLC, which operates Packer Avenue Marine Terminal. “These capital improvements, which we’ll complement with our own additional improvements, will allow us to serve the world’s ocean carriers, and the customers those carriers serve, better than ever before. It will also position us as one of the fastest growing container ports on the East Coast.” The Ports Automobile Import/Export facility, which currently processes 150,000 cars and employs more than 300 direct workers will also benefit by receiving about $90 million of the Governor’s Capital Investment program. Since 2010, Glovis America been the main customer of the Port’s Auto Processing facility, located in South Philadelphia adjacent to the Packer Avenue Marine Terminal, bringing Hyundai and Kia automobiles on vessels for eventual distribution to dealerships throughout the region. Improvements to the Port’s automobile-handling operation will include the addition of 155 paved and fenced acres above the flood plain at the Port’s Southport site; the conversion of the former seaplane hangar at Southport into a second auto-processing site; enhancements at the main auto-processing site at Pier 98 Annex; and the establishment of a framework that provides flexibility for use of the land the Port needs for containers and automobiles, as determined by market demands. “We are grateful to partner with the PRPA and the Commonwealth to create a world class destination auto port to that will meet our needs for Hyundai and Kia as well as providing the ability to expand into auto exporting” said Glenn Clift, President and CEO of Glovis America, Inc. “The addition of space and ability to consolidate our foot print at the port improves our ability to make Philadelphia an aggressive cost competitive port. It also ensures our long-term commitment to grow jobs and revenues in the Commonwealth.” Tioga Marine Terminal will be the third beneficiary of the State Capital Investment Program at the Port. $12 million has been earmarked for improvements to the main on-dock warehouse that has been successfully handling and processing Brazilian wood pulp cargoes since 2014. A second warehouse at Tioga will be converted into a food-grade warehouse, allowing the Port increase its wood pulp volumes to meet the demands of Pennsylvania companies requiring wood pulp. Improved rail access and the purchase of a second mobile harbor crane will also add capacity for Tioga Marine Terminal. “Tioga Marine Terminal will have a great future because of these major capital improvements,” said Robert Palaima, President of Delaware River Stevedores (DRS), which operates the Tioga Marine Terminal. “Tioga has always had the reputation of being able to recreate itself from time to time to meet the needs of the market place and address cargo opportunities that present themselves, and these improvements will allow us to continue doing that, and more effectively. They will also allow us to better serve long-term customers that have made Tioga Terminal their home.” The Governor’s administration worked closely with the Board of Directors of the Philadelphia Regional Port Authority, the Port’s staff, and business and labor leaders throughout the Port to develop the very best, most effective capital program to improve commerce at the Port of Philadelphia, and to prepare the Port to meet industry trends for years to come. “Our thanks to the Governor for his great support of our Port,” said PRPA Chairman Gerard H. Sweeney. “His determination to reposition the Port is the catalyst we needed to take advantage of the channel deepening and position ourselves as a competitive East Coast port. I am so proud of all the great work performed by the thousands of men and women who work hard at the Port of Philadelphia every day.“ Officials at the Philadelphia Regional Port Authority anticipate an aggressive “shovels in the ground” schedule beginning early next year to make these planned capital improvements. “Being good corporate neighbors is of great importance to us, so the Port will approach these improvements in an environmentally sensitive manner,” said Jeff Theobald, Executive Director and CEO of the Philadelphia Regional Port Authority. “PRPA’s new Diversity Outreach Program will assure that inclusion of women, minorities, veterans, and other traditionally-underutilized groups will be a major goal as contractors and subcontractors are engaged during the construction process.” This capital investment program provides an alternate, more efficient and expeditious solution to reach the Port’s goals as embodied in the recent Southport RFP: growing container capacity, accelerating job creation, and capitalizing immediately on the river dredging program ensuring that the Port will be competitive and positioned for growth immediately With this capital investment plan, we will have accomplished both the short term and the longer term objectives that were envisioned for Southport as well as the Port overall, with flexibilities to continue to grow and shift across many diverse markets. The Commonwealth and the Philadelphia Regional Port Authority remain committed to establishing the best, most effective maritime operations at Southport, and these slated capital improvements at Southport are part of that commitment.
Relationships between World Trade Center of Greater Philadelphia (WTCGP) and its clients are “for keeps.” WTCGP helps many clients in their first efforts to enter international markets – and then, over years, helps those same clients expand into new markets and grow their businesses. VideoRay LLC is a great example: WTCGP began advising and working with VideoRay upon its founding in 1999. “Basically,” says VideoRay Vice President, Sales and Marketing, Chris Gibson, “WTCGP has been with us from our beginning.” Based in Pottstown, PA, VideoRay manufactures portable inspection class underwater robots for use in port security, law enforcement, force protection, offshore oil and gas, hydroelectric, science and research, ship inspection, nuclear, and other markets where clients need to know underwater data and activity. WTCGP initially supported VideoRay by conducting market research on global standards and certifications; identifying distributors for the company’s products; coordinating its participation in trade shows overseas; and procuring trade counseling and connections in the countries Video Ray was considering as potential export markets. Specific examples of support included arranging hotels and electric generators in Japan for demonstrations to industry and military buyers, as well as document authentication for Saudi Arabian transactions. Countries where assistance has been provided included Australia, Brazil, Egypt, Jordan, Norway, Chile, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, the UK, Germany, Japan, India, and China, among others. Gibson notes, “WTCGP helped us in each of the 45 countries and international markets where VideoRay is working.”
Two recent examples include a $1.5 million order from the French Navy for Autonomous Remote Operated Vehicle (ROV) Systems Navy and a $1 million contract from the Indian Navy for a Military Configured ROV. For the India deal, WTCGP facilitated PA Authorized Trade Representatives support for market research and dealer selection, as well as advising on export procedures, including bank guarantees and performance bond placement, with which VideoRay was not familiar. In addition, WTCGP has also connected VideoRay with other resources, including individuals with specialized expertise in freight and export licensing. Educational programming has also been key for VideoRay. “We have attended several educational programs – we attended a Chinese business roundtable through WTCGP’s China Operations Club,” Gibson says. “WTCGP has helped us quite a bit with China. When we set up business relationships with the dealer five years ago, WTCGP vetted companies and went to potential dealers’ China-based offices to discuss possible partnerships.”
VideoRay also participates in WTCGP and PA-led trade missions and trade shows to nations where the company has established relationships. A sample of shows included Rio Oil and Gas Shows in 2008, 2010, and 2012, as well Oceanology International in the UK in 2014. The PA Authorized Trade Representative in the UK assisted with many aspects of establishing a dealer in Norway by counseling VideoRay at the show. The counsel of WTCGP’s trade specialists has been particularly helpful as VideoRay begins to develop new markets. “When our company is developing new vertical markets – not in new countries, but with a new product line – we rely on WTCGP for information that helps us understand different business opportunities within a country with which we are already familiar.” “VideoRay has really benefited from our relationship with the World Trade Center of Greater Philadelphia,” Gibson says. “The knowledge of exports that their trade specialists possess is wide and deep – they have decades of experience facilitating connections between U.S. companies and businesses outside our nation; an ability to educate companies on exports and international trade in a way that is really customized to each company’s needs; and, beyond all of that, invaluable global contacts to explore partnerships overseas. WTCGP has helped pave the way for VideoRay to thrive in today’s global economy.”
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