Chamber members promote bilateral co-op

German companies are playing a leading role in Sino-German cooperation, which is growing ever closer.

They are actively engaged in the upcoming "Germany and China - Moving Ahead Together" campaign, to be formally opened by German Chancellor Angela Merkel during her visit to China.

It will highlight the many ways in which German technology and innovation can benefit the daily lives of Chinese citizens and help create a sustainable future for all.

Grand event

The first event of the campaign takes place in Nanjing in Jiangsu Province, and will then be held in a number of cities throughout China in the coming three years.

German companies are well aware of the business potential of China's huge emerging provincial cities and the German Chamber of Commerce in China is supporting them by organizing information and networking events in these cities as well.

These "hot spots" are characterized by high economic growth rates, large-scale infrastructure projects and expanding industries.

Partnership between German and Chinese enterprises in solving the challenges these cities face as they urbanize, and in supporting the needs of local business, is intensifying the longstanding spirit of cooperation between the nations.

Investment, however, is not a one-way street. Chinese investors seeking advice on strategies will be ably assisted by the Invest in Germany offices within the German Chamber. This is the inward investment agency of the Federal Republic of Germany.

Investment agencies

The offices provide one-stop services, ranging from strategic planning to support on legal and financial matters for Chinese companies interested in setting up business in Germany.

The offices offer comprehensive project management and support services, from site selection to the final realization of the investment. All inquiries are kept confidential and services are provided free of charge.

The opening of the representative office of the European electrical and electronics industry, EuropElectro, collocated with the German Chamber of Commerce in Beijing has recently further strengthened the chamber's role in supporting German companies doing business in China.

EuropElectro aims to support Chinese authorities in using international ISO and IEC standards in the Chinese standardization system.

At a more basic level, the office, which was set up by ZVEI (Central Association of the German Electrical and Electronic Manufacturers' Association) in cooperation with Orgalime, the European Engineering Industries' Association, will assist German and European firms with information on the latest developments regarding CCC certification, China RoHS and Energy Labels. German companies believe that international standards open markets for everyone.

The German Chamber of Commerce in China serves more than 1,300 members throughout the nation, and offers over 200 events a year to provide information and networking opportunities.

It gives voice to members by lobbying on their behalf, prints publications and provides online information on new developments in the market and in German-Chinese relations, and assists German as well as Chinese companies in establishing contacts in each others' countries.

If Chinese policy were to permit, the Chamber would be pleased to offer membership to Chinese companies as well.

This article is written by Jutta Ludwig, executive director and member of the board of the German Chamber of Commerce in China. She is also the delegate and chief representative of the Delegation of German Industry and Commerce in Beijing

(China Daily 08/25/2007 page6)