Commercial Investment Real Estate is the magazine of the CCIM Institute, the leading provider of commercial real estate education. CIRE covers market trends, current developments, and business strategies within the commercial real estate field.
Issue link: http://cire.epubxp.com/i/847000
COMMERCIAL INVESTMENT REAL ESTATE 12 July | August 2017 Global Promoter F or those attending CCIM Institute events in the U.S. and globally, Catherine Li, CCIM, has become a famil- iar face for training Chinese commercial real estate professionals as CCIM designees. In recent years, more than 400 professionals in China have become CCIMs, and the number is growing. As the President of Leiden Busi- ness Academy, Li sees the value of the designation increasing. "Given China's new real estate laws, the time is auspicious for Chinese commercial real estate investors to take CCIM courses," says Li, who also founded Leiden Business Academy as an edu- cational partner of CCIM Institute. International investors have long looked to the U.S. as a safe haven, with Chinese investors becoming the highest percentage group of foreign investors in U.S. commercial real estate during 2016, according to CBRE Research. As Chinese investors seek to diversify holdings and hedge against a slowing economy and depreciating yuan, many of them seek to become better educated and connected. As a facilitator and promoter of CCIM training, Li discusses her business and the international commercial real estate market for investors in China and the U.S. with Commercial Investment Real Estate. CIRE: Why did you decide to become a commercial real estate professional? Li: When I fi rst entered the real estate arena many years ago, commercial real estate in China was in its initial period of development. Industry professionals deeply felt their lack of knowledge. Many investment projects in China were completed without a clear and logical process. As a result, I thought it was an opportune time to improve my education and accelerate my own career, which is how I became involved with CCIM Institute. CIRE: How does your fi rm help Chinese investors fi nd properties both in your country and internationally? Li: At Leiden Business Academy, we work closely with the Insti- tute to instill CCIM training and methodology into the minds of Chinese commercial real estate professionals and to advance a platform to communicate with international commercial real estate professionals. It is our hope to provide more global oppor- tunities for CCIMs to exchange ideas and work together for transnational deals. CIRE: What types of properties are Chinese investors looking for in the U.S.? Li: The Chinese government continues to adopt increasingly stringent regulations regarding local investments in the com- mercial real estate industry. As a result, many investors in China are turning toward overseas markets. by Samuel S. Moon CCIM Q & A Catherine Li Prasit photo