Exchanging ideas

METP is now approaching its third intake of participants, with a deadline to apply set for June 1. Dr. Stefan Hell, team leader of the EU-China Managers Exchange and Training Programme, spoke with China Daily reporter Wang Danna about past, present and future training sessions:

Q: Why have the European Commission and the government of China teamed up for the EU-China Managers Exchange and Training Programme (METP)?

A: METP addresses two crucial needs in EU-China business and trade relations, which both concern the development of human resources for small- and medium-sized businesses (SMEs). On one hand, European managers of SMEs who want to successfully do business in China must learn the Chinese language and business culture. METP provides seven months of business Chinese language training, followed by three months of practical training at internships in China.