The Flanders-China Chamber of Commerce and KBC Group – with the support of Flanders Investment & Trade – are organizing an in-person event which will take place on November 16, 2023 at 17h30 CET, at the KBC Arteveldetoren, Maaltekouter, 9051 Gent.
Our distinguished speaker, Mr. Hans Dewachter, Chief Economist, KBC Group, will deliver a speech focussing on "China's Unique Recession".
China may not be in a technical recession, but the real estate crisis, which is compounding the problem of a highly indebted household sector with limited appetite for consumption, has kicked up fears of a balance sheet recession. The usual policy prescription for a balance sheet recession - stronger fiscal stimulus to counter private sector deleveraging - requires nuance in China's case. With China's SOEs and local government financing vehicles (LGFVs) already over-indebted, appropriate fiscal stimulus needs to come from the central government, and needs to target the household sector and private enterprises. The government does have the tools to mitigate spillovers from the real estate sector, but the question remains of whether or not they will follow through.
The programme is as follows:
17h30-18h00: Registration
18h00-18h10: Welcome address by Ms. Gwenn Sonck, Executive Director, Flanders-China Chamber of Commerce
18h10-19h00: Keynote speech by Mr. Hans Dewachter, Chief Economist, KBC Group
19h00-19h15: Q&A Session
19h15-20h30: Networking reception
Practical information:
Date and time: November 16, 2023, 17h30 - 20h30
Location: KBC Arteveldetoren, Maaltekouter, 9051 Gent.
Price for Members: Free of charge
Price for Non-members: €65 excl. 21% VAT (€13.65)
