Visit of environmental Chinese delegation to Costa Brava water reuse projects

From http://80.37.62.109:8081/notapremsa/not-llegir.php?id=168 (in Catalan)

A delegation of members from the Chinese Ministry of Environmental Protection (中华人民共和国环境保护部), the Changjiang Water Resources Commission (长江水利委员会) and the Yellow River Conservancy Commission (黄河水利委员会) visited two water reuse projects in Costa Brava, in Tossa de Mar and Lloret de Mar (Girona, Catalonia) on October 22nd, 2011, as part of the EU China River Basin Management Program (RBMP) to strengthen their capacity in decentralized wastewater treatment and reuse. The delegation was lead by Dutch professor Peter van der Steen, coordinator of the modules "Integrated Urban Water Management" and "Sustainable Wastewater Treatment and Reuse" at the UNESCO-IHE Institute for Water Education. The aim of the visit was to learn from the experience of Consorci Costa Brava on water reclamation and reuse in the two municipalities that started having a municipal network for the distribution of reclaimed water for non-potable purposes, as a means to conserve water and save energy -as compared with the energy costs of drinking water production and supply in the area-. The delegation visited the Tossa de Mar water reclamation treatment and the main reuse sites in the village, as well as the Santa Clotilde gardens in Lloret de Mar, where reclaimed water is used since May 2007.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="368"] Visit at the Tossa de Mar reclamation plant[/caption]

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="351"] Group picture of the delegation at the Santa Clotilde gardens, Lloret de Mar[/caption]

More pictures of these visits to Tossa de Mar and Lloret de Mar can be seen at the Sinalunya Flickr site.

Catalan Torelló cava wine maker sets in Hong Kong

From http://www.expansion.com/2011/10/24/catalunya/1319484860.html (in Spanish)

Torelló is a cellar based in Subirats (Alt Penedès, Catalonia) that has been making cava wine since 1951, although the family has been growing grapes since 1395, when a local landlord granted some land to the Miquel family. Now, with the 22nd generation in command of the business, the time for internationalization has arrived. After more than 20 years in Japan, Torelló has found a distributor in Hong Kong that is expected to become the gateway to China and its market. Torelló produces 650,000 bottles per year, of which 550,000 are of cava and the remaining 100,000 bottles are of wine, and its principals markets so far are Spain, Belgium and Norway.

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="557" caption="Torelló vineyards (Image from Torelló website)"][/caption]

China at Barcelona Summit held successfully in Barcelona

From http://www.casaasia.eu/noticia/detalle?id=204010 (in English)

The first edition of the China at Barcelona Summit was successfully held in Barcelona from October 19th to 21st, 2011. It is a pioneer initiative for promoting  Chinese investments to southern Europe and the Mediterranean area, and it has seen the participation of some 30 companies from different sectors and 4 investment agencies based in Beijing, Shanghai and Chongqing and in the province of Shandong. The event has also had the participation of authorities such as the President of the Catalan Government, Artur Mas, the chairs of the China at Barcelona Summit, Miquel Valls (President of the Barcelona Chamber of Commerce), Juan José Herrera de la Muela (General Director of Casa Àsia), Patrick de Cambourg (President and CEO of Mazars Group), Juan María Nin (Executive Vice President and Chief Executive of CaixaBank), and Xavier Trias (Mayor of Barcelona).

For a detailed account on the Summit, you can read the report posted on Casa Àsia website. The Flickr site of the Mayor of Barcelona, Xavier Trias, displays 16 pictures of his participation on the event and an specific LinkedIn China at Barcelona Summit group has been created.

Xavier Trias at the China at Barcelona Summit (image from Xavier Trias' Flickr site)

Summary of economic news about Catalonia

In the last few days several news about the evolution of economy in Catalonia have been released. Here's a summary of the most interesting ones and the links where to read them more in detail, plus a small summary of the piece of news written in Catalan.

* Catalan economy grew by 0.7% from June 2010 to June 2011 - http://www.catalannewsagency.com/news/business/catalan-economy-grew-07-june-2010-june-2011 (in English)

* The worst September in 15 years for unemployment in Catalonia - http://www.catalannewsagency.com/news/politics/worst-september-15-years-16282-more-people-registered-unemployed-catalonia (in English)

* Annual inflation in Catalonia measured at 3.2% at the end of September - http://www.catalannewsagency.com/news/business/tobacco-fuel-prices-and-fresh-food-put-annual-inflation-catalonia-32-end-september (in English)

* House sales in Catalonia fell by 34% during August and in comparison with the previous years - http://www.catalannewsagency.com/news/business/house-sales-catalonia-fell-34-august-compared-previous-years (in English)

* Catalan exports increased by 14% in July - http://www.acc10.cat/ACC1O/cat/empresa-ACC1O/premsa/noticies-notes-premsa/2011/110925.jsp (in Catalan)

Catalan exports have increased by 19th consecutive month in July 2011 and they have amounted 5 billion euro, 27% of total Spanish exports. According to the press release, exports to the Euro zone have increased by 10.40%, whereas those to the rest of the world have increased by 18.16%. Exports to Asia have grown by 9.73%.

Barcelona appointed as the sixth best European city to locate a business

From http://www.catalannewsagency.com/news/business/barcelona-sixth-best-european-city-locate-business (in English)

The capital city of Catalonia, Barcelona has recently been appointed as the sixth best European city to locate a business in 2011, behind London, Paris, Frankfurt, Amsterdam and Berlin, dropping one place from 2010's results, but one position ahead of Madrid. This European Cities Monitor list is compiled each year by the consultancy firm Cushman & Wakefield and is the result of analyzing twelve indicators. The position of Barcelona is expected to go even higher on the list if improvements are made in the future on telecommunications, international flights, market access and English language skills. For a more detailed information, either visit the link at the beginning of this post or go to the European Cities Monitor website.

[caption id="attachment_986" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="View of Barcelona from Gaudí's Parc Güell"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_987" align="aligncenter" width="225" caption="Agbar Tower, Barcelona"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_990" align="aligncenter" width="225" caption="Barcelona's recently developed Forum area"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_989" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Casa de les Punxes o Casa Terrades by Josep Puig i Cadafalch, Barcelona"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_988" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="La Rambla, Barcelona"][/caption]

Barcelona Chamber of Commerce organizes workshop on investments in China

From http://www.cambrabcn.org/agenda/-/enhanced_calendar/VE?salesProductId=Q0TPPA0JYE8G&tipus=Jornades and http://www.casaasia.eu/actividad/detalle?id=203909 (in English)

[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="125" caption="Barcelona Chamber of Commerce"][/caption]

The Barcelona Chamber of Commerce, La Caixa and Mazars, in collaboration with Casa Asia are organizing a workshop aimed at the Catalan companies willing to invest in China, more specifically in the cities of Beijing, Shanghai and Chongqing and in the province of Shandong.  This workshop is organized as a side event of the China at Barcelona Summit to be held in Barcelona between October 19th and 21st, to which  the representatives of the investment promotion agencies of these 3 cities and province will be attending. The Chinese officials will provide policy updates and the current situation of inbound investment in their areas. The session is also aimed at becoming a platform for business matchmaking between attendees and the agencies' representatives. Admission will be free prior registration and maximum capacity will be 45 attendants. The language for this event will be English and no translation will be provided.

Programme

3.30 pm: Welcome and opening session

Mr. Josep Mª Cervera, International Director, Barcelona Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Navigation
Mr. Jordi Martí, Responsible for the China Desk of Mazars Spain & Mr. Bryan Chen, Partner, Mazars Shanghai
Mr. Amadeu Jensana, Director of Economic Programs and Cooperation of Casa Asia

3.45 pm

Panel 1: Shui Yong, Deputy Director, Beijing Investment Promotion Bureau
Panel 2: She Guizheng, Chongqing Investment Promotion Agency
Panel 3: Yunbin Xia, President, Shandong International Investment Promotion Agency
Panel 4: Dong Tao, Assistant President, Shanghai Foreign Investment Development Board

4.45 pm: Interaction and individual meetings with the promotion agencies’ representatives

5.30 pm: Closing of the event

The workshop will take place in the Barcelona Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Navigation, 452 Diagonal Avenue, Barcelona.


View Larger Map

To register for the event call to 902 448 448 or visit the Barcelona Chamber of Commerce website for this event.

Catalan companies seeking opportunities in the machinery sector in China

From http://www.anella.cat/web/portal/cercador-oportunitats/-/custom_publisher/7Nep/27513446/Oportunitats-de-negoci-en-el-sector-de-la-maquinaria-a-la-Xina (in Catalan)

ACC1Ó-Competitiveness for Catalonia has recently issued a 3-page dossier analyzing the situation of the machinery sector in China, aimed at the Catalan companies seeking opportunities in such a giant market. The document is composed of an analysis of the machinery sector in China, followed by a description of the business opportunities and a list of references and contacts, such as the China International Machinery Industry Exhibition, the China Yiwu International Machinery Industry Fair, the China International Machine Tool and the China Machinery Industry Federation (Chinese website). For further information, download the 3-page report (pdf file) and/or can contact Mrs. Isabel Gimeno (ialtarriba@acc10.cat) at the Centre for Internationalization within ACC1Ó-Competitiveness for Catalonia.

 

 

Workshop on intellectual and industrial property in China organized in Barcelona

From http://www.eic.es/wps/PA_Jornades/fitxa.jsp?codi=1083482 (in Catalan)

The College of Industrial Engineers of Catalonia organizes a workshop on the intellectual and industrial property in China that will be held on October 10th, 2011 in their headquarters at Via Laietana 39, 5th floor, in Barcelona, at 6:30 pm. The workshop will allow to exchange opinions with experts on industrial property in China about regulations, procedures, registration (how to choose a Chinese name for a brand) and law application, among others. They will also report on experiences on these fields by Catalan companies already working on Chinese territory. For further information, call +34 933 192 304 (from 9 to 14 h and from 16 to 18 h).

Downloadables:

- Registration form for members

- Registration form for non-members

Bodegas Torres winery keeps expanding in China

From http://www.lavanguardia.com/economia/20111005/54226794047/bodegas-torres-continua-su-expansion-en-china-y-tendra-37-tiendas-este-ano.html (in Spanish)

Catalan winery Bodegas Torres is still expanding its presence in China and by the end of this year is going to have 37 shops in the Asian giant. In 2010, Bodegas Torres increased their sales in China by 40% and started the direct sales through Everwines, its Chinese selling brand that already has shops in Chengdu, Nanjing, Xi'an, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Hangzhou. In the forthcoming months, several new shops are going to be opened thanks to parallel agreements with Cadena Hola and Supermercados Spar to reach the number of 37 shops by the end of the year. Everwines aim is to have 62 shops in China by the end of 2013.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="282" caption="Vineyards from Bodegas Torres (Image from BT website)"][/caption]

New distributor of Chinese Yanjing beer in Spain

From http://www.elpuntavui.cat/noticia/article/4-economia/18-economia/460705-miquel-alimentacio-es-ara-el-distribuidor-de-la-cervesa-yanjing.html (in Catalan)

Catalan food trading group Miquel Alimentació, based in Vilamalla (Alt Empordà, Girona) is the new distributor of Chinese Yanjing beer in Spain. Yanjing beer is the most popular beer in China and accounts for 85% of the beer sales in Beijing and the 8th beer producing company in the world. Yanjing Group, with 33,500 employees in 40 factories, exports its more than 20 products to the United States, Italy and South-East Asia. The signature of the agreement of exclusive distribution in Spain was signed by Ramon Miquel Vilanova, vice-chairman of Miquel Alimentació Group, and Dai Yongquan, Deputy Managing Director of Yanjing Group. Apart from this agreement with Yanjing Group, Miquel Alimentació Group has reached another agreement with the main food distributor in China, which allows the Catalan company to firmly establish in this country.

Catalan mission to the Hong Kong International Lighting Fair

From http://agenda.acc10.cat/agenda/default.php?id=6566 (in Catalan)

For companies interested on the East Asian lighting markets, CICAT (Lighting Cluster of Catalonia) is organizing a mission to the Hong Kong International Lighting Fair, the most important fair of this kind in Asia that will take place between 27-30 October 2011. The goals of the mission are: i) to promote the Catalan lighting sector as a separate brand; ii) to establish commercial links between the attending companies and open new markets in Asian countries; and iii) to find potential suppliers in the area.

"It's China time!" on Casa Àsia, Barcelona

From http://www.casaasia.eu/actividad/detalle?id=203513 (in English)

Casa Àsia has organized for October 6th, 2011 a session called "It's China time!", devoted to explore the different urban cultures that are popping up in China and that are turning the country's big cities into some of the most vibrant cultural places in the world. In this session, experts will analyze and spread information about the latest tendencies in fields such as literature, fashion, urban art, cinema, technology, music or television. This explosion of creativity is largely due to the fact that by 2015 China is expected to have some 500 million people under 30, which is turning its big cities into some of the trending cultural areas in the planet.

The participants in the session will be Zhang Yiwu, researcher of Literature and Theory of Culture (University of Beijing); Zhang Jian, musician, composer of the band FM3 and creator of the ‘Buddha Machine’, who will also offer a demo of it; and Inma González Puy, Director of the Instituto Cervantes of Beijing.  The event will be presented by Shiru Chang, Vice Director of the Confucius Institute Foundation of Barcelona and Javier Castañeda, Director of Technology and Cyberculture of Casa Àsia.

The event, organized by Casa Àsia and Confucius Institute of Barcelona, in collaboration with the Master in Chinese Studies (UPF), will take place at the Tagore Auditorium, Manila and Ispahan Halls, at the headquarters of Casa Àsia in Barcelona (Diagonal, 373), at 7 pm. Admission is free, until reaching full capacity. Casa Àsia website also offers an invitation card to the event, that can be downloaded as pdf file. Further information can be obtained through the email address casaasia@casaasia.es.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="420" caption="It's China Time! (Image from Casa Àsia website)"][/caption]

Agreement for the commercialization of pharmaceutical products in Taiwan

From http://www.luqaventures.com/news.php (in English)

Hong Kong based company LUQA and Catalan company Laboratorios SALVAT, S.A. have reached an agreement for the commercialization of pharmaceutical product Cetraxal Plus in Taiwan. LUQA is a specialty company devoted to the commercialization of pharmaceutical products in the East Asia emerging markets, whereas Laboratorios SALVAT, S.A. is a renowned company that has been commercializing their products, like Cetraxal Plus, for more than 20 years on international markets.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="331" caption="Cetraxal Plus (Image from LUQA website)"][/caption]

Chinese writer Diane Wei Liang interviewed in La Vanguardia

From http://www.lavanguardia.com/lacontra/20110930/54224175787/hoy-en-china-el-amiguismo-y-el-nepotismo-es-ley.html (in Spanish)

Because of her visit to the Casa Àsia headquarters in Barcelona to promote her new book (see http://sinalunya.com/2011/09/11/chinese-writer-diane-wei-liang-presents-her-new-book-in-barcelona/), Catalan newspaper La Vanguardia has interviewed Chinese writer Diane Wei Liang for its much followed back cover section La Contra. On this interview, London-based Diane Wei Liang first remembers her tough childhood years in a remote rural region of China and how she had to grow up barely seeing her father; later explains some details of her personal experience on the Tiananmen Square and what is her vision of what happened after twenty-some years; and finishes giving her impressions on today's Beijing, where the gap between rich people and poor people is growing and getting huge. She also expresses the wish that in China citizens would have freedom and rights.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="600" caption="Diane Wei Liang - Photo by Kim Manresa from La Vanguardia website"][/caption]

Tianjin representatives visit the Pyrenean village of Camprodon

From http://el9nou.cat/noticies_o_0/20130/camprodon_estreny_llacos_amb_xina_per_atreure_turisme (in Catalan)

Camprodon, a small village located in the mountain region of Pyrenees that belongs to the Girona province, in Catalonia, has received two delegations of representatives of Tianjin (China), who are seeking contacts for touristic and business purposes. What started simply as a touristic visit by the Tianjin representatives has gradually evolved towards a business interest, since they have requested to formally get in touch with the local industries, seeking opportunities for exporting their products to China. Camprodon mayor, Esteve Pujol, has declared that these contacts can prove very successful for his village and the nearby region, since Tianjin has a high industrial and economic activity.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="350" caption="Sant Pere Monastery, Camprodon (Photo by Flora Genoher)"][/caption]