Regional Cities in China – Opportunities for EU SMEs in Fuzhou

Fuzhou is the capital of Fujian province. Taiwan lies to the east, across the Taiwan Strait. Because of the proximity to Taiwan, Fujian received much less investment from the Chinese central government and developed much slower than the rest of China before 1978. Since 1978, when China opened to the world, Fujian has received significant investment from overseas Fujianese around the world, Taiwanese and foreign companies. Today, Fujian is one of the wealthier provinces of China.

Its pillar industries include aquaculture, textiles, machinery, ICT, construction materials, and tourism. In 2013, Fuzhou’s GDP reached CNY 4.7 trillion, an 11.5 percent increase over 2012.

In 2014, Fuzhou is focussing on the development of a number of industry clusters, which will include a range of opportunities for European SMEs.

Join this webinar to learn more about:

• The China Council for the Promotion of International Trade – Fujian Sub-Council (Enterprise Europe Network contact point for South East China);
• The city of Fuzhou, social and economic data;
• Key sectors and opportunities for EU SMEs in Fuzhou;
• Recommendations and advice: why should EU SMEs choose Fuzhou?
• Information on exhibitions, useful links and tools.

About the Speakers

Alicia Zhang has more than 16 years of working experience in the financial industry. As Deputy Director of EEN Southeast China, she focuses on providing services and organising brokerage events and seminars to promote the mutual communication and collaboration between SMEs from the EU and China on trade, investment and technology transfer. Alicia hold a degree in economics from Xiamen University.

Ms Xiao Xiaoyan is Deputy Director of the Institute of Interpreting Studies of Xiamen University. She has extensive experience in trade and investment in Fujian, with over 20 years of experience assisting the provincial government at events and international conferences on investment in Fujian and the province’s political and economic situation. Major international events have included round table conferences for chambers of commerce organised by CCPIT and the China International Fair for Investment and Trade (CIFIT). She works with European partners on a regular basis and has a clear understanding of the needs and challenges of small and medium-sized companies. In the past, she has received grants and scholarships from the British Council, EU Asia Link, and Erasmus Mundus China (EMECW). She holds aMaster of Arts from the University of Westminster.

You can find the recorded video on Youtube: