Commercial Investment Real Estate July/August 2017 | Page 14

CCIM
Q& A
Global Promoter
by Samuel S. Moon
F
12
July | August 2017
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.
COMMERCIAL INVESTMENT REAL ESTATE
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
Catherine Li
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.