AANHPI COMMUNITY ROUNDTABLE BRINGS TOGETHER UNITED STATES TRADE REPRESENTATIVE, WHITE HOUSE OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET, MAYOR OF SAN DIEGO, AND ASIAN BUSINESS ASSOCIATION TO DISCUSS KEY ISSUESS

San Diego, CA (August 9, 2024) – A significant roundtable discussion took place on August 9, 2024, bringing together key leaders from the Asian-American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) community in San Diego. The event was hosted by the Asian Business Association San Diego in the Convoy Pan Asian Cultural and Business District.

Deputy Director of the White House Office of Management and Budget Nani Coloretti, United States Trade Representative Katherine Tai, and Mayor Todd Gloria joined Port Commissioners Sid Voorakkara and GilAnthony Ungab, along with local small business owners, to discuss the priorities and challenges facing the AANHPI community. The discussion focused on economic issues impacting local businesses and the broader community.

“Thanks to the Asian Business Association for hosting this productive community conversation between Ambassador Tai, Deputy Director Coloretti and our AAPI community,” Mayor Todd Gloria said. “San Diego is better off than it was four years ago, in large part thanks to the investments this Administration has made in our city and our region through the American Rescue Plan, Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, and the Inflation Reduction Act.” 

As key representatives of the federal government, Deputy Director Coloretti and Ambassador Tai’s participation underscored the administration’s interest in understanding and addressing the needs of the AANHPI community. The roundtable served as an opportunity for local leaders and business owners to directly communicate their experiences and concerns to federal representatives.

“Asian Business Association San Diego continues to find opportunities for our members, local business, and entrepreneurs to have direct contact with local, statewide, and federal entities in order to build our region’s economic power,” said Asian Business Association San Diego President and CEO Jason Paguio. “We are honored to connect our local businesses with the White House administration’s top AANHPI leaders to support policies which reflect our region’s diversity.

”The event marked an important collaboration between local and federal leaders, aimed at ensuring that the voices of the AANHPI community are heard and considered in future policy decisions. The Asian Business Association of San Diego played a central role in facilitating this dialogue, continuing its mission to support and advocate for the region’s AANHPI businesses. 

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The Asian Business Association San Diego (ABASD) represents the interests of over 30,000 Asian Pacific Islander (API) owned businesses throughout San Diego County. ABASD builds sustainable communities through inclusive economic development and a diverse workforce. As part of the San Diego Imperial Valley Small Business Development Center (SBDC) network, ABASD offers educational workshops, technical assistance, no-cost business counseling services, and access to capital for minority-owned, small, and disadvantaged businesses, entrepreneurs, and start-ups.