SCCC nurturing Spanish interests in China
A high profile summit sponsored by the Spanish Chamber of Commerce in China to enhance Sino-Spanish business ties is held in April this year. From left are Spanish Ambassador in China Carlos Blasco Villa, first Spanish Vice Prime Minister Mara Teresa Fernndez de la Vega, Secretary of State Foreign Affairs of Spain Bernardino Leon and President of Spanish Chamber of Commerce Javier Serrado. |
In these seven years, SCCC has come to represent a single organization that, through a network of three offices in Beijing, Shanghai and Guangdong, covers the vast territory of China with the aim of promoting Sino-Spanish commercial relations, along with the interests of its members.
SCCC plays an important role in institutional relations, defending the common interests of Spanish companies established in China.
The general mission of the chamber is to develop the communication between the growing Spanish enterprises community established in China, as well as to establish a constructive dialogue with the local and Spanish authorities.
At the same time, the chamber's purpose is to promote and reinforce the image of Spain in China.
In addition to promoting the interests of its associates, the chamber is a consulting organ, which collaborates with the Spanish Public Administration and the Commercial Office of Spain in China in all its activities.
At present, there are an estimated 450 Spanish companies established in China and the chamber has 240 members located across the country, mainly in Beijing, Shanghai and Guangdong.
Other areas where many Spanish companies are located include Tianjin, Hangzhou, Ningbo and Shenzhen.
The Spanish regions with more business representation in China are Cataluna, Madrid and Pais Vasco, followed by Valencia and Andalucia.
About 51 percent of the companies feature 100 percent Spanish investment, while 11 percent are joint ventures and the other 38 percent are representative offices.
The 100 percent Spanish-invested enterprises in China employ around 3,000 people, while the joint ventures and representative offices employ about 1,400 and 900 people respectively.
The service sector represents 64 percent of the chamber's members, while 22 percent come from the raw materials and industrial equipment sectors, 9 percent from consumer goods and 4 percent from the foodstuff sector.
During the last two years, top Spanish industries in environmental technology, (water plant treatment, desalination plants, etc) and high technology and telecommunication have considerably increased their presence in China.
In the financial sector, a Spanish bank BBVA made an important acquisition of shares of a Chinese bank CITIC last year.
The Sino-Spanish Business Summit held in Beijing today will gather 250 Spanish companies, which shows the relevance and the importance of this market for the Spanish companies and administration.
For further information about SCCC, log on to www.spanishchamber-ch.com or info@spanishchamber-ch.com
Tel.: +86(10) 6416-9774 / 7323
Fax: +86(10) 6416-1534
(China Daily 06/27/2007 page27)
