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.
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Is Catalonia attractive enough for China?
From http://www.leconomic.cat/neco/article/4-economia/18-economia/417194-som-atractius-per-a-la-xina.html (in Catalan, by Anna Pinter)
The Asian giant has stopped being a country that only received foreign investments, to transform itself into a powerful investor abroad. In order to adequately compete for these Chinese resources, Catalonia has to improve its current low international visibility.
China, a country that until recently mostly received foreign investments, now has adapted to its new role of investor. As Chinese companies grow, they need to set themselves near the markets they target and they look for places where to establish. Santi Santamaria, director of the Shanghai chapter of the agency for the international promotion of Catalan economy, ACC1Ó, thinks that because of the measures currently undertaken by Chinese government, investments abroad can be booming in three years time.
According to date from Invest in Catalonia, a public organization to promote foreign investments in the country, as of today 30 companies with Chinese capital have recently established in Catalonia, such as the producer of home appliances Haier or the shipping and logistics company Hutchinson, that operates in the Barcelona port.
Apart from these companies, negotiations are open with two car makers. One of them is Huachen Automotive Group, producer of Brilliance cars, that on May 14th, 2011, signed an agreement with Catalan government to evaluate the possibility of opening a factory in Catalonia as a base camp for a later expansion to other European markets. This option is not to be dismissed, since this is one of the ten largest car makers in China and that also produces cars for BMW. The other ongoing process is that of Chery group, that in September 2010 showed interest in opening a car factory in Catalonia that could create some 3,000 new jobs.
Some of the most important investments that have been made in Europe recently are those of the brand Haier, a truly giant of home appliances that has its European headquarters in Italy, or those of technological companies such as Huawei or Lenovo. The latter is the main computer brand in China and it also has a portion of the IBM shares. According to forecasts, many others may follow their steps soon.
With so many possibilities in sight, Catalonia wonders whether it is attractive enough for China.
All the experts have coincided that the Achilles' heel of Catalan economy is its lack of visibility in China. Diao Minyou, president of the China Council for the Promotion of the International Trade (CCPIT), has declared to L'Econòmic that this lack of visibility is severe. According to Pedro Nueno, professor at IESE and expert on China that has helped to attract some investments, "the most usual situation is that Chinese people can't even locate Catalonia on a map". This diagnosis was shared by Carlos Hernández, general manager of a consulting company established in China for the last 4 years and that is helping Spanish companies. He states that "not even Spain is well known" and that the few things that Chinese people identify are the stereotypes of bull fighting and flamenco, which are not so good when it comes the time to attract industrial investments.
The biggest problem becomes that the industrial possibilities of Catalonia are largely ignored, which means that in many cases it is not even listed when potential locations are considered. And something that adds to the difficulties is the bad opinion that many foreign people have nowadays about the Spanish economy, as reflected by the specialized press. According to Carlos Hernández, "it is necessary to work harder to increase the visibility of our country". Santi Santamaria says that visibility is a key subject, because Chinese companies want to carefully evaluate their potential partners and, if the country is not well known, "then there are no investments to be done".
Now it seems to be the moment to start a marketing campaign for the promotion of Catalonia in a country like China, with 1.3 billion inhabitants and that has been one of the few in the world that in the midst of the recent economic crisis has been able to steadily grow at a minimum 9% rate -and has no plans to decrease. Despite so, Leilei Ma, a Chinese consultant living in Catalonia for the last two decades and that is helping Chinese companies to invest here, explains that the actions for the branding of Catalonia should be more practical than the ones applied until now. “Opening an office there and officially visiting the country once is not the way", says Ma, who thinks that Catalonia is not also well ranked by people highly skilled in Chinese. If we want to attract multinational companies, it will require that we become attractive for highly educated people that would know both languages and both cultures.
According to Pedro Nueno, if Catalonia overcomes these disadvantages, then it could become a land with great interest for Chinese investors. "I am convinced that things will happen this way, because our industrial base is highly diverse and this makes us unique in Europe". Prof. Nueno also has high hopes that some of these Chinese car makers that are evaluating where in Europe to establish might land in Catalonia. Local car industry has a good reputation thanks to two big brands, Seat and Nissan, and to all the other smaller satellite companies around them that provide service to the larger ones, which are playing now an essential role in attraction of new, foreign investments.
As Amadeu Jensana from Casa Asia says, "costs here are more competitive as compared with the rest of Europe. However, the logistics of the quick connection with Europe need to be solved if Catalonia wants to presented itself as a platform for the access to this European market. "It would be important to finish the railroad connection with Europe and improve the rest of the railroad lines". And not only a good land connection with Europe is important, a good connection with China by air is also essential. According to Carlos Hernández, that a direct link between Catalan airports and Asian ones does not exist yet is something that has to be improved as soon as possible.
Invest in Catalonia says that in the recent months a growing trend of Chinese investments in Catalonia has been observed. Claudia Danesi, responsible for foreign investments, says that since January they have received three missions of Chinese businessmen and that they are currently working on the development of different investment projects. "We are working to attract Chinese companies to profitable economic sectors".
However, some people are worried that if too many Chinese investors are attracted here, Catalonia is going to have less trade with Germany, France, and Italy, which have been the largest investors so far. Emilio Mulet, Spanish delegate at the China Council for the Promotion of the International Trade (CCPIT), considers that attracting Chinese investments is just a matter of time. "Now Chinese people are focusing their investments where prime matters abound, and Catalonia is a mature economy". That's the reason why the most important investments a abroad are happening in African or Southern American countries that are richer in natural resources and that have industrial sectors still to develop. "In many cases, they reach agreements with local governments to extract natural resources in exchange of the construction of infrastructures". Another different feature of Chinese investments is that nowadays 60% of their multinational companies are state-owned and they don't get into a country by buying local companies but by starting a new investment from scratch. Instead, investments in Europe are mostly happening through the acquisition of existing, leading technological companies.
The challenge for Catalonia is to increase visibility and increase positions in strategic sectors, if it does not want to be the last runner in this tough race.
The Asian giant has stopped being a country that only received foreign investments, to transform itself into a powerful investor abroad. In order to adequately compete for these Chinese resources, Catalonia has to improve its current low international visibility.
China, a country that until recently mostly received foreign investments, now has adapted to its new role of investor. As Chinese companies grow, they need to set themselves near the markets they target and they look for places where to establish. Santi Santamaria, director of the Shanghai chapter of the agency for the international promotion of Catalan economy, ACC1Ó, thinks that because of the measures currently undertaken by Chinese government, investments abroad can be booming in three years time.
According to date from Invest in Catalonia, a public organization to promote foreign investments in the country, as of today 30 companies with Chinese capital have recently established in Catalonia, such as the producer of home appliances Haier or the shipping and logistics company Hutchinson, that operates in the Barcelona port.
Apart from these companies, negotiations are open with two car makers. One of them is Huachen Automotive Group, producer of Brilliance cars, that on May 14th, 2011, signed an agreement with Catalan government to evaluate the possibility of opening a factory in Catalonia as a base camp for a later expansion to other European markets. This option is not to be dismissed, since this is one of the ten largest car makers in China and that also produces cars for BMW. The other ongoing process is that of Chery group, that in September 2010 showed interest in opening a car factory in Catalonia that could create some 3,000 new jobs.
Some of the most important investments that have been made in Europe recently are those of the brand Haier, a truly giant of home appliances that has its European headquarters in Italy, or those of technological companies such as Huawei or Lenovo. The latter is the main computer brand in China and it also has a portion of the IBM shares. According to forecasts, many others may follow their steps soon.
With so many possibilities in sight, Catalonia wonders whether it is attractive enough for China.
All the experts have coincided that the Achilles' heel of Catalan economy is its lack of visibility in China. Diao Minyou, president of the China Council for the Promotion of the International Trade (CCPIT), has declared to L'Econòmic that this lack of visibility is severe. According to Pedro Nueno, professor at IESE and expert on China that has helped to attract some investments, "the most usual situation is that Chinese people can't even locate Catalonia on a map". This diagnosis was shared by Carlos Hernández, general manager of a consulting company established in China for the last 4 years and that is helping Spanish companies. He states that "not even Spain is well known" and that the few things that Chinese people identify are the stereotypes of bull fighting and flamenco, which are not so good when it comes the time to attract industrial investments.
The biggest problem becomes that the industrial possibilities of Catalonia are largely ignored, which means that in many cases it is not even listed when potential locations are considered. And something that adds to the difficulties is the bad opinion that many foreign people have nowadays about the Spanish economy, as reflected by the specialized press. According to Carlos Hernández, "it is necessary to work harder to increase the visibility of our country". Santi Santamaria says that visibility is a key subject, because Chinese companies want to carefully evaluate their potential partners and, if the country is not well known, "then there are no investments to be done".
Now it seems to be the moment to start a marketing campaign for the promotion of Catalonia in a country like China, with 1.3 billion inhabitants and that has been one of the few in the world that in the midst of the recent economic crisis has been able to steadily grow at a minimum 9% rate -and has no plans to decrease. Despite so, Leilei Ma, a Chinese consultant living in Catalonia for the last two decades and that is helping Chinese companies to invest here, explains that the actions for the branding of Catalonia should be more practical than the ones applied until now. “Opening an office there and officially visiting the country once is not the way", says Ma, who thinks that Catalonia is not also well ranked by people highly skilled in Chinese. If we want to attract multinational companies, it will require that we become attractive for highly educated people that would know both languages and both cultures.
According to Pedro Nueno, if Catalonia overcomes these disadvantages, then it could become a land with great interest for Chinese investors. "I am convinced that things will happen this way, because our industrial base is highly diverse and this makes us unique in Europe". Prof. Nueno also has high hopes that some of these Chinese car makers that are evaluating where in Europe to establish might land in Catalonia. Local car industry has a good reputation thanks to two big brands, Seat and Nissan, and to all the other smaller satellite companies around them that provide service to the larger ones, which are playing now an essential role in attraction of new, foreign investments.
As Amadeu Jensana from Casa Asia says, "costs here are more competitive as compared with the rest of Europe. However, the logistics of the quick connection with Europe need to be solved if Catalonia wants to presented itself as a platform for the access to this European market. "It would be important to finish the railroad connection with Europe and improve the rest of the railroad lines". And not only a good land connection with Europe is important, a good connection with China by air is also essential. According to Carlos Hernández, that a direct link between Catalan airports and Asian ones does not exist yet is something that has to be improved as soon as possible.
Invest in Catalonia says that in the recent months a growing trend of Chinese investments in Catalonia has been observed. Claudia Danesi, responsible for foreign investments, says that since January they have received three missions of Chinese businessmen and that they are currently working on the development of different investment projects. "We are working to attract Chinese companies to profitable economic sectors".
However, some people are worried that if too many Chinese investors are attracted here, Catalonia is going to have less trade with Germany, France, and Italy, which have been the largest investors so far. Emilio Mulet, Spanish delegate at the China Council for the Promotion of the International Trade (CCPIT), considers that attracting Chinese investments is just a matter of time. "Now Chinese people are focusing their investments where prime matters abound, and Catalonia is a mature economy". That's the reason why the most important investments a abroad are happening in African or Southern American countries that are richer in natural resources and that have industrial sectors still to develop. "In many cases, they reach agreements with local governments to extract natural resources in exchange of the construction of infrastructures". Another different feature of Chinese investments is that nowadays 60% of their multinational companies are state-owned and they don't get into a country by buying local companies but by starting a new investment from scratch. Instead, investments in Europe are mostly happening through the acquisition of existing, leading technological companies.
The challenge for Catalonia is to increase visibility and increase positions in strategic sectors, if it does not want to be the last runner in this tough race.
Monday, May 30, 2011
FC Barcelona wins UEFA Champions League
From http://www.fcbarcelona.com/web/english/futbol/temporada_10-11/arxiu_partits/champions_league/final/jornada01/Barcelona_Manchester/partit.html and http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2011_UEFA_Champions_League_Final (in English)
The football section of famous Catalan sportsclub FC Barcelona has won the 2011 edition of the UEFA Champions League after defeating Manchester United by 3-1 in a sublime performance. The match raised a big expectation worldwide, as stated by this report by Catalan television channel TV3, in which a group of hardcore Barça fans from Beijing celebrate the 4th UEFA Champions League of their favourite team. It is also interesting to state that renowned Taiwanese-Catalan entepreneur Dídac Lee is member of the present Board of Directors of the club, leading the Technology Area (New Technologies).
For those that missed the game, see a 13-minute summary of its most interesting moments.
The football section of famous Catalan sportsclub FC Barcelona has won the 2011 edition of the UEFA Champions League after defeating Manchester United by 3-1 in a sublime performance. The match raised a big expectation worldwide, as stated by this report by Catalan television channel TV3, in which a group of hardcore Barça fans from Beijing celebrate the 4th UEFA Champions League of their favourite team. It is also interesting to state that renowned Taiwanese-Catalan entepreneur Dídac Lee is member of the present Board of Directors of the club, leading the Technology Area (New Technologies).
For those that missed the game, see a 13-minute summary of its most interesting moments.
Friday, May 27, 2011
Alimentaria food trade show likely to move to China in 2012
From http://www.expansion.com/2011/05/26/catalunya/1306407264.html (in Spanish)
After the recent announcement that the construction trade show Construmat would have a Chinese edition starting in 2012, now it seems that the food trade show Alimentaria can be the next one to travel to China also in 2012. Fira de Barcelona's director, Mr. José Luis Bonet, has made this announcement in the 15th Meeting of Directors of Food and Drink Industries that was organized by IESE. This is a new step to the desired goal of internationalizing the events organized by Fira Barcelona, that apart from China is also aiming at other markets such as Brazil, Morocco, Russia and other eastern european countries. Temptative dates for the food trade show are between June and September and will possibily be organized in Beijing in cooperation with a local partner.
After the recent announcement that the construction trade show Construmat would have a Chinese edition starting in 2012, now it seems that the food trade show Alimentaria can be the next one to travel to China also in 2012. Fira de Barcelona's director, Mr. José Luis Bonet, has made this announcement in the 15th Meeting of Directors of Food and Drink Industries that was organized by IESE. This is a new step to the desired goal of internationalizing the events organized by Fira Barcelona, that apart from China is also aiming at other markets such as Brazil, Morocco, Russia and other eastern european countries. Temptative dates for the food trade show are between June and September and will possibily be organized in Beijing in cooperation with a local partner.
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
China may receive an office for the promotion of Catalan economy
From http://www.expansion.com/2011/05/23/catalunya/1306150709.html (in Spanish)
Catalan Minister for Business and Employment, Francesc Xavier Mena, has declared that the opening of new offices for the promotion of Catalan economy in emerging markets is currently under evaluation. He has met with directors of the business promotion network ACC1Ó from worldwide in order to analyze these possibilities in the light of the limited funding by the Catalan administration. China, Brazil and India, for promotion of businesses, and United States and the Asia-Pacific region, for promotion of tourism, are candidates to see receive these new offices. ACC1Ó, the agency responsible for the promotion of competitiveness of Catalan economy, has 34 of these offices located worldwide that give support to Catalan companies working in 70 different markets.
Catalan Minister for Business and Employment, Francesc Xavier Mena, has declared that the opening of new offices for the promotion of Catalan economy in emerging markets is currently under evaluation. He has met with directors of the business promotion network ACC1Ó from worldwide in order to analyze these possibilities in the light of the limited funding by the Catalan administration. China, Brazil and India, for promotion of businesses, and United States and the Asia-Pacific region, for promotion of tourism, are candidates to see receive these new offices. ACC1Ó, the agency responsible for the promotion of competitiveness of Catalan economy, has 34 of these offices located worldwide that give support to Catalan companies working in 70 different markets.
Spain and China exchange experiences on the conservation and management of wetlands
From http://iagua.es/2011/05/espana-y-china-intercambian-experiencias-en-el-campo-de-la-conservacion-y-gestion-de-los-humedales (in Spanish), with special thanks to Alejandro Maceira Rozados, owner and webmaster at iAgua.es. Source: Ministerio de Medio Ambiente y Medio Rural y Marino.
The Spanish Ministry of Environment, and Rural and Marine Environments, through the Directorate-General of Environment and Forest Policy have met representatives of the Chinese government and of several Chinese provinces to exchange experiences in the field of the conservation and management of wetlands, with selected practical cases from Spain and Germany.
The director of the Spanish National Park Organization, Mrs. Olga Baniandrés, explained the organization of the Network of Spanish National Parks and specifically the functions that the Autonomous Communities and the State Administration have on the two National Parks considered as wetlands (Parque Nacional de Doñana and Parque Nacional Tablas de Daimiel). She also presented information about the Network of the Spanish Biosphere Reserves.
The guidelines of the Spanish policy of wetlands conservation and management have also been presented in this meeting, with special emphasis on the actions undertaken for the compliance of the Ramsar Convention for the protection of Wetlands of International Importance, of which both Spain and China are active members. Specific management actions and case studies of restoration of wetlands were also explained.
Both parties have expressed their interest in the promotion of the cooperation on this issue, since wetlands are one of the Earth's most threatened habitats that are essential for the survival of the migratory birds. Conservation of wetlands needs of the international cooperation and of the state-of-the-art knowledge and techniques.
This meeting was preceded by visits to some of the most important Spanish wetlands, such as Doñana or L'Albufera de Valencia. The field visits allowed for a better understanding of the difficulties associated with the conservation of wetlands and the human activities in their surroundings. Special emphasis has been made on the analysis of the compatibility of natural areas with industrial, agricultural and touristic activities and the use of natural resources.
The Spanish Ministry of Environment, and Rural and Marine Environments, through the Directorate-General of Environment and Forest Policy have met representatives of the Chinese government and of several Chinese provinces to exchange experiences in the field of the conservation and management of wetlands, with selected practical cases from Spain and Germany.
The director of the Spanish National Park Organization, Mrs. Olga Baniandrés, explained the organization of the Network of Spanish National Parks and specifically the functions that the Autonomous Communities and the State Administration have on the two National Parks considered as wetlands (Parque Nacional de Doñana and Parque Nacional Tablas de Daimiel). She also presented information about the Network of the Spanish Biosphere Reserves.
The guidelines of the Spanish policy of wetlands conservation and management have also been presented in this meeting, with special emphasis on the actions undertaken for the compliance of the Ramsar Convention for the protection of Wetlands of International Importance, of which both Spain and China are active members. Specific management actions and case studies of restoration of wetlands were also explained.
Both parties have expressed their interest in the promotion of the cooperation on this issue, since wetlands are one of the Earth's most threatened habitats that are essential for the survival of the migratory birds. Conservation of wetlands needs of the international cooperation and of the state-of-the-art knowledge and techniques.
This meeting was preceded by visits to some of the most important Spanish wetlands, such as Doñana or L'Albufera de Valencia. The field visits allowed for a better understanding of the difficulties associated with the conservation of wetlands and the human activities in their surroundings. Special emphasis has been made on the analysis of the compatibility of natural areas with industrial, agricultural and touristic activities and the use of natural resources.
Saturday, May 21, 2011
A set of lifetime experiences in Costa Brava
Now, a recommended link!
Velvet Escape blog perfectly summarizes in a set of pics and a few lines what are the main unique experiences you can live when visiting Costa Brava. From the culinary excellence of El Celler de Can Roca and El Bulli to a skydive in Empuriabrava, a visit to the Dalí Museum in Figueres or Dalí's house in Portlligat, to a stroll in Girona's old city.
Go to Once in a lifetime experiences in Costa Brava to see all the fun those guys had and that you can also have!
But first get a taste of what the link has with these pictures of our own!
[caption id="attachment_616" align="aligncenter" width="300"]
Medieval city of Besalú[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_619" align="aligncenter" width="225"]
Santa Clotilde Gardens, Lloret de Mar[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_618" align="aligncenter" width="300"]
Dalí Museum, Figueres[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_617" align="aligncenter" width="300"]
View of Portlligat bay from Dalí's house in Cadaqués[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_621" align="aligncenter" width="300"]
Girona by the Onyar river[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_620" align="aligncenter" width="300"]
A beautiful corner in Girona's old city[/caption]
Velvet Escape blog perfectly summarizes in a set of pics and a few lines what are the main unique experiences you can live when visiting Costa Brava. From the culinary excellence of El Celler de Can Roca and El Bulli to a skydive in Empuriabrava, a visit to the Dalí Museum in Figueres or Dalí's house in Portlligat, to a stroll in Girona's old city.
Go to Once in a lifetime experiences in Costa Brava to see all the fun those guys had and that you can also have!
But first get a taste of what the link has with these pictures of our own!
[caption id="attachment_616" align="aligncenter" width="300"]
Medieval city of Besalú[/caption][caption id="attachment_619" align="aligncenter" width="225"]
Santa Clotilde Gardens, Lloret de Mar[/caption][caption id="attachment_618" align="aligncenter" width="300"]
Dalí Museum, Figueres[/caption][caption id="attachment_617" align="aligncenter" width="300"]
View of Portlligat bay from Dalí's house in Cadaqués[/caption][caption id="attachment_621" align="aligncenter" width="300"]
Girona by the Onyar river[/caption][caption id="attachment_620" align="aligncenter" width="300"]
A beautiful corner in Girona's old city[/caption]
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