Chinese investors choose Denmark

Updated: 2012-01-07 13:26

(chinadaily.com.cn)

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As competition among European countries toughens, a group of Chinese investors has picked Denmark as a top destination for investment.

An alliance of influential Chinese investors has selected Denmark as one of the top three countries in Europe to start their global expansion.

Around 25 investors, including the leading Chinese consumer electronics company aigo, travelled Europe in December, visiting not only Denmark but also The Netherlands, Belgium and Great Britain.

The investors decided on Denmark as one of their three favourites countries where they plan to open joint headquarters.

Denmark will also be recommended to around 500 members in the aigo Entrepreneur Alliance (AEA). The Alliance aims to promote Chinese privately owned brands globally. Members of the alliance include leading companies within different industries such as electronics, maritime, real estate and clothes.

Denmark's Minister for Trade and Investment, Pia Olsen Dyhr, met with the leader of the Alliance and Chairman of aigo, Feng Jun, when he first visited Denmark in October to lead the way for the investments.

"Commercial relations with China are of great importance to my government. We need to attract new investments to Denmark in order to create new jobs, and as Chinese companies are expanding globally, I see many ways that our two nations can collaborate," said Dyhr.

"It shows great potential when Chinese companies looking to invest pick Denmark as a top destination. Denmark is open for investments and it is easy to start up a business here, which their decision demonstrates," she said.

"I hope that many more will start turning their eyes on Denmark as a stepping stone to reach the rest of Europe," Dyhr added.

Invest in Denmark, which belongs to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark, helped arrange the trip to Denmark, where Denmark's Prime Minister Helle Thorning-Schmidt greeted the Chinese investors.

It was, among other things, Denmark's strong competencies within design and innovation that attracted the investors, Feng said.

"We got a very nice reception in Denmark from the top leaders of the government, and we think the country has a very favourable investments climate where it is easy to set up a business," he said.

"Denmark's strong focus on design and innovation enables Chinese brands to learn from and collaborate with Danish companies in order to become successful in the rest of Europe.

Denmark also provides good opportunities for partnerships with universities and design institutions in order to further develop our brands," Feng said.

One of the founding members of AEA is Chinese billionaire Huang Nubo, owner of Beijing Zhongkun Investment Group Co, who has earlier shown interest in investing in Iceland.

Denmark's Minister for Trade and Investment is planning a trip to China in February in order to promote Danish export and continue dialogue with Chinese investors regarding their future plans.