On the first day of the Conference, policymakers from the EU institutions, economists, industry experts, and think-tank analysts will share their insights into EU-China trade relations, China’s economic outlook, the current policy environment, green technology’s rise and trends, and how these factors impact European SMEs.

The second day will focus on practical, cross-sectoral information for SMEs operating in China. Presentations will address industrial dynamics, new developments in intellectual property rights (IPR) protection, and recent advancements in connectivity and cybersecurity, featuring insights from analysts and business representatives already active in the Chinese market.

Programme

Tuesday 29 October

Agenda (Brussels Time)

9:00–9:30

Opening remarks

Bonifacio Garcia Porras, Head of Unit, DG for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs, Directorate A, GROW Unit A2 – SMEs, European Commission

Igor Kalinic, Head of Sector, European Innovation Council and SMEs Executive Agency – EISMEA, European Commission

9:30–11:00

China’s Economic Outlook

Keynote speaker:

Dan Wang, Ex-Chief Economist, Hang Seng Bank China

Alicia Garcia-Herrero, Chief Economist for Asia Pacific, Natixis (joining online)

Panel discussion moderator:

Massimo Bagnasco, Vice President, European Union Chamber of Commerce in China

11:00–11:20

Coffee break

11:20–12:20

EU-China Trade Relations

Keynote speaker:

Eva Valle Lagares, Head of Unit Far East, DG Trade, European Commission

12:20–14:00

Lunch

14:00–14:45

Implementing the EU SME Centre: A Discussion with Consortium Partners

– China-Italy Chamber of Commerce (CICC)

– European Union Chamber of Commerce in China (EUCCC)

– Italy-China Council Foundation (ICCF)

– Sociedade Portuguesa de Inovação (SPI)

– Trade Promotion Europe (TPE)

– EU-China Business Association (EUCBA)

14:45–16:15

Policy Environment and Business Confidence

Keynote speakers and panellists

Ester Cañada Amela, Advocacy Manager, EU SME Centre

Luisa Santos, Deputy Director General, BusinessEurope

Andrzej Juchniewicz, Head of Foreign Trade Office in Shanghai, Polish Trade and Investment (PAIH)

16:15–16:30

Coffee break

16:30–17:30

Green Technologies

Massimo Bagnasco, Vice President, European Union Chamber of Commerce in China

Wanyuan Song, Section Editor (China), Carbon Brief

SME Participants in the 2024 SME Business Mission organised by the EU SME Centre

17:30–19:00

Networking cocktail

Wednesday 30 October

Agenda (Brussels Time)

9:00–10:20

Cybersecurity and Connectivity

Tom Nunlist, Associate Director, Trivium China

Simone Ciampi, General Manager, Exprivia IT Solutions Asia

10:20–10:35

Coffee break

10:35–11:30

IPR Protection: Recent Developments

Simon Cheetham, Team Leader, China IP SME Helpdesk

11:30–12:30

Industrial Dynamics: Local Governments, Regional Clusters, Free-Trade Zones, High-Tech Zones

Alessio Petino, Business Advisor, EU SME Centre

Mirko Turrina, General Manager, Goglio (Tianjin) Packaging Co. Ltd.

For more information and subscription: https://www.eusmecentre.org.cn/events/2024-understanding-china-conference/


Date: 29.10.2024 - 30.10.2024
Location: Brussels & Online, Sofitel Brussels Europe Place Jourdan 1, 1040 Brussels
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