from the editor-in-chief

	There are 31,000 McDonald's restaurants in more than 119 countries, including this one in the Ukraine, according to the company's March 2007 research.

Internationalism No Longer ‘International’?
London, Amsterdam, Shanghai, Los Angeles, New York, Houston – they’re all the same, and the commonality is today’s globally interconnected, intertwined international community. Whether it’s department stores selling “famous labels” sprouting next to street market vendors in overseas countries, authentic Asian foods and antiques sold in Chinatown in many U.S. cities, or access to one’s finances “back home,” we all want, and can get, worldwide goods and services – with hardly a second thought.

There are millions of non-indigenous communities that have settled in countries at one time foreign, but now no other word is more applicable than “home” to these growing neighborhoods and those who reside within and around them.

The majority of companies, industries and universities worldwide are no longer constrained to a few same-country locations. The global community reaches out to partners in Malaysia, for example, for technology that will be implemented in the United States. Businesses in Europe buy hardware components from Asia for many of its manufactured products. U.S. fast food restaurants are quickly infiltrating non-U.S. countries. And as the cost of crude oil increases and governments worldwide become more interested in sustainability and alternative fuels, companies around the world reach out to consultants based in the United States, Europe and Asia to help analyze the logistics, current climate and effect that changes will have on businesses moving forward.

During the past few months, I’ve had the pleasure to become acquainted with a knowledgeable and enthusiastic group of individuals based in Houston that has established an International Trade Center (ITC). This organization has formed bridges over the Atlantic and Pacific oceans as well as within U.S. land-based communities across which businesses can more easily traverse to more effectively interact with one another.

With a mission to “promote, encourage and facilitate international business opportunities for U.S.-based, small- to medium-sized businesses, while also offering unparalleled business opportunities and services to overseas governments, businesses and investment entities,” this year, the ITC has hosted petroleum-related breakfasts, cocktail and luncheon speaker-oriented networking sessions featuring officials from Nigeria, China, Japan and Houston.

“This is a unique opportunity for people wanting to get into international trade,” said Wea Lee, ITC president and chairman, and chief executive officer of Southern News Group, publisher of the Southern Chinese Daily News newspaper and Chinese Yellow Pages for more than 27 years.

International trade is important in all industries but especially petroleum, where logistics, infrastructure, investment and finance, sustainability, public politics, technology, culture and more are high-profile topics. FUEL’s September cover story will address these important issues and discuss the challenges and solutions.

Until then, have a safe journey, wherever it may take you.

—Monique A. Hitchings
mhitchings@hartenergy.com