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To support the internationalisation of European SMEs to China, the EU SME Centre is organising a business mission to Shanghai, Suzhou, and Chengdu in target green industries from 22 to 27 September 2024.
感兴趣参与商务活动和企业对接的中国企业，可在此处获取关于此次访问的行程。
Explore your potential in the Chinese market for your business with the support of the EU SME Centre! With this trade mission, you will get an opportunity to:
- Participate in the 18th Europe-China Business and Technology Cooperation Fair in Chengdu.
- Visit industrial parks and take part in factory tours in Suzhou.
- Meet with well-established and successful European SMEs.
- Join expert talks on China’s economic outlook and market trends.
- Take part in technical trainings on export procedures and market regulations.
- Establish relationships with potential partners in China.
- Have face-to-face meetings leading to possible business opportunities.
Profiles and Industries
This call for applications is open to SME owners and individuals working for SMEs, start-ups, or clusters and industry associations from the European Union and countries associated to the Single Market Programme*, active in the following industries:
- Green technologies
- Renewable energy sources and energy storage
- Environmental services
- Water treatment
- Sustainable equipment manufacturing
- Recycling
- Waste reduction
- Advanced materials
- Green service providers along the supply chain
- Other green development solutions.
(*) Please check the status of your country here.
Agenda
Sunday 22 September
All day
Day 1: Arrival in Shanghai
Monday 23 September
In Shanghai
Day 2
Welcoming breakfast
Meet with the mission’s delegates and the EU SME Centre’s team
Introduction to the programme
Seminar: Market Trends and Business Sentiment for European SMEs in China
Seminar & case studies: Green Industries in China
Networking reception co-organised with CCPIT Shanghai with European and local businesses
Tuesday 24 September
In Suzhou
Day 3
Transfer to Suzhou
Meeting with the Suzhou Industrial Park Administrative Committee
Roundtable and factory tour with European SMEs established in the Suzhou Industrial Park
Visit of the ESG Industry Innovation Center
Wednesday 25 September
In Suzhou and Chengdu
Day 4
In Suzhou
Visit of the Suzhou Sino-European Industrial Park
B2B matchmaking session in Taicang and visit of the Taicang German Centre
Transfer to Chengdu
Dinner: Understanding the Business Environment in Southwest China with European businesses in Sichuan Province
Thursday 26 September
In Chengdu
Day 5
Official opening of the Europe-China Business and Technology Cooperation Fair
Meeting with the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT)
Keynote presentations and panel discussions: Opportunities in Green Industries for EU SMEs
B2B matchmaking session 1 in Chengdu
Europe-China Business and Technology Cooperation Fair Networking Reception with European and local businesses in Chengdu
Friday 27 September
In Chengdu
Day 6
B2B matchmaking session 2 in Chengdu
End of the official programme at noon
Individual time for further meetings and cultural visits
How to participate
This mission is organised by the EU SME Centre, an initiative funded by the European Union to assist small and medium-sized enterprises from EU Member States and countries participating in the Single Market Programme with free first-line services in their internationalisation to the Chinese market. The conditions to participate in this programme are detailed below.
Eligibility
The applicant must:
- Work for a legal entity located in the European Union or a country participating in the Single Market Programme.
- Be supported by their employer through a signed letter (in case they do not belong to senior management).
- Be able to participate in the entire programme.
- Have a good command of English.
- Have proven experience in green industries.
Selection
The information gathering questionnaire accessible with the Register button is required to be filled in and submitted. The Centre will evaluate applicants based on the following primary selection criteria:
- Company’s strategy and past experience with China
- Innovative aspects of the product/technology/service offered by the company
- Applicant’s professional background.
The mission will welcome a maximum of 20 participants.
Cost
The EU SME Centre’s services are funded by the European Union and are free of charge to the mission’s participants. All the meetings, seminars, receptions, and other activities included in the programme are covered by the EU SME Centre.
Participants are responsible for covering their travel, accommodation, and meal costs, including:
- Flights and other travel expenses to and from China.
- Inter-city travel within China from Shanghai to Suzhou, and from Suzhou to Chengdu.
- Hotel accommodation in Shanghai, Suzhou, and Chengdu.
- Other living expenses in China, including local transportation and meals.
Approximative estimated cost per person: EUR 2,750 – 3,500.
Assistance in flight booking and accommodation options with discounted offers will be provided to the participants.
Visa
A visa-free policy for trips to China not exceeding 15 days currently applies to 10 EU Member States: France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Ireland, Hungary, Austria, Belgium and Luxembourg.
Participants from countries not included on the visa-free list will be responsible for arranging a visa to travel to China.
Application deadline
The deadline for applications is Friday 12 July 2024.
Contact us
Do you have any questions about the business mission’s programme, application process or other topic? You can reach out by email to our Team Lead Liam Jia at liam.jia@eusmecentre.org.cn or to our EU Partnerships Manager Davide Orlandi at davide.orlandi@eusmecentre.org.cn.
Register