From http://www.leconomic.cat/neco/article/4-economia/18-economia/417194-som-atractius-per-a-la-xina.html (in Catalan, by Anna Pinter)
"You need to have more visibility and be more flexible"
Diao Minyou is the President of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT), a governmental organization devoted to the promotion of the commercial relationship between China and the rest of the world, as well as to the main trade shows in which China takes place. He has recently visited Barcelona to present Construmat, the construction trade fair that will be held in Beijing in 2012 thanks to a collaboration agreement between Fira Barcelona and the CCPIT. Minyou thinks that a mentality change is needed to improve the flow of investments between the two countries.
Q: Who will be benefited the most by duplicating Construmat in Beijing in 2012?
R: We have chosen this alliance with Fira Barcelona because we think this is a win-win relationship. In China there is a growing demand of high-quality construction products which are also environmentally respectful. On the other hand, for Spanish companies and for Fira Barcelona it is a very good opportunity for promotion there. We organize the main trade shows of the sector and we think that it will be beneficial for all of us in a few years.
Q: Is this the first deal that you sign in Spain?
R: Before the economic crisis we already did a trip to València, but we were not able to reach an agreement. We tried to participate in one of their trade fairs but they told us that they could not accept more exhibitors.
Q: Does this mean that it is a closed door for the future?
R: Not necessarily. The goal of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT) is to help companies to sell or invest abroad and, thus we are always ready for that; but it is true that opportunities pass and if chances are not taken sometimes they can be lost forever, like in the case of València. If we had started collaborating four years ago, now we'd already be on harvest time.
Q: Do you think we are prepared to attract Chinese investments?
As of now, I think that the main problem is the Spanish mentality. You need a mind more open and flexible to foreign investments and the failure of the relationship with Fira València is a clear example of this lack of flexibility. First of all, you need to change your mind and later you should work harder to promote your country. Once you change your mentality, Chinese companies will be ready to invest more here.
Q: Which is the image of Catalonia in China?
Catalonia, as a potential candidate to attract Chinese investments , is mainly an unknown country. You need to get more visibility and then it will be easy to establish agreements.
Q: Which are the sectors and companies that are abroad
R: Practically they have just started foreign investments and because of this there are great opportunities.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.