European SMEs often face challenges of late payments or unpaid invoices and are more vulnerable to cashflow risks than larger companies. When doing business in China, if a dispute arises, the language barrier, unfamiliarity with China’s court system, and the complexity of evidence requirements often lead to write-offs that could have been avoided with proper risk management. A well-drafted contract with clear payment terms is one of the key tools of business protection that SMEs need to have.
Our next webinar, How to Get Paid When Doing Business in China, will explore the practical legal and commercial strategies that help businesses secure payment on time and minimise financial risk. Expert Jan Holthuis, senior partner and lawyer at BUREN, will explain how to negotiate strong and applicable contracts. This webinar will provide a practical guide, from prevention measures to litigation procedures, from evidence collection to enforcement of court orders. It will also address common misconceptions around jurisdiction and arbitration clauses and offer actionable tips for businesses who may not have dedicated legal teams.
This free event, organised by the EU SME Centre and the Italian Chamber of Commerce in China, will be held in English. It is open to all interested SMEs from EU Member States and countries participating in the Single Market Programme.
Agenda
Friday 11 September (Brussels Time – CEST)
10:00–10:05
Opening remarks Keyu Zhou, Events Coordinator, EU SME Centre
10:05–10:50
How to Get Paid When Doing Business in China: A Practical Guide for SMEs Jan Holthuis, Senior Partner & Lawyer, BUREN
10:50–11:10
Q&A session
11:10–11:15
Closing remarks
Eligibility criteria
This event is open exclusively to stakeholders of the EU SME Centre, including:
Small and medium-sized enterprises from EU Member States and countries participating in the Single Market Programme;
Business support organisations and trade promotion organisations from EU Member States and countries participating in the Single Market Programme.
Diplomatic representations and public institutions from the European Union, from EU Member States and countries participating in the Single Market Programme.
Keynote speaker
Jan Holthuis
Senior Partner & Lawyer, BUREN
Jan Holthuis is a senior partner and lawyer at BUREN. His practice encompasses international transactions, mergers and acquisitions, corporate restructuring, technology transfers, product liability claims, and international arbitration.
Jan is admitted to the Amsterdam Bar and is a qualified solicitor in England and Wales. Jan founded HIL International Lawyers & Advisers in 1995. HIL became the first Dutch law firm in China with a license from the Chinese Ministry of Justice in 2004. In 2016, the HIL practice merged with BUREN.
Jan is a registered arbitrator with the China International Economic Trade Arbitration Commission (CIETAC) and the Tianjin Arbitration Commission (TJAC).
