Harcum College partners with ML Chamber of Commerce and Chesco Economic Development Council

Harcum College and the Main Line Chamber of Commerce in cooperation with the Chester County Economic Development Council co-sponsored a Southeast Asia Trade Forum in the Library Rotunda at Harcum College on Oct. 30.

Southeast Asia (Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore, Cambodia, Laos and Thailand) has been recognized in the Goldman Sachs-N11 Report as the “21st-century opportunity.” Harcum’s forum spotlighted Southeast Asia and the potential for Southeastern Pennsylvania entrepreneurs and businesses to develop markets within these rapidly growing economies. The session also highlighted the specific political, economic and cultural factors critical to a successful business venture.

Jim McCloskey, Harcum College’s adjunct business faculty member, came up with the idea to hold a Southeast Asia Trade Forum as a result of his frequent travels to Vietnam. “Harcum would like to see more business ties between the U.S. and Southeast Asia for mutual economic benefits and cultural awareness,” said McCloskey. “Harcum has a number of Chinese and Japanese students enrolled and would like to expand our outreach in the future to attract more Southeast Asian students.”

For example, enrollment of Vietnamese students in U.S. colleges and universities has grown faster than that of any other country, having jumped 45 percent to 8,769 in 2007-2008. “Student/faculty ties can lead to future contacts that can benefit both the business community and higher education,” said Harcum business-program director Ray Rodgers.

Harcum College offers a practical business program that provides students with the information basic to all areas of business in addition to the skills important to excel in a specialized area. Harcum College offers the following programs: international business, business administration, entrepreneurship, retail and sports management, fashion design and interior design.

The forum kicked off with an introductory welcome from Harcum president Dr. Jon Jay DeTemple. The following panelists discussed business in Southeast Asia: James McCloskey, Theo Hunte (Senior International Trade Specialist), Larry Nelson (Trade Representative with the Pennsylvania Department of Community & Economic Development) and Steve Chandler of the Pennsylvania Depart-ment of Commerce.