Webinar: "European Business in China - Business Confidence Survey 2020"

The EU-China Business Association and the Flanders-China Chamber of Commerce have the pleasure to invite you to our webinar focused on the results of the annual Business Confidence Survey of European Business in China. The survey was conducted by the European Union Chamber of Commerce in China, in cooperation with Roland Berger. This webinar will take place on 12 June 2020 at 10.00 am CEST.

Many of the initial findings of the survey, conducted in February 2020, painted an outlook for 2020 that no longer accurately represents the views of the vast majority of member companies that have endured a tumultuous first half of the year. However, survey respondents have provided extensive data pinpointing underlying issues that fall under the control of the Chinese Government.

• In 2019, 41% of companies reported at least some market opening.
• Almost half of the respondents continue to face market access barriers.
• Doing business in China has become more difficult over the past year for 49% of members, a four-percentage point decrease from 2019 – a marginal improvement.
• Almost half of the respondents believe that state-owned enterprises (SOEs) will gain opportunities at the expense of the private sector in 2020.

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Program:

10:00 – 10:05: Welcome and Introduction by Ms. Gwenn Sonck, Executive Director, EU-China Business Association/Flanders-China Chamber of Commerce

10:05 – 10:30: "European Business in China - Business Confidence Survey 2020" by Mrs. Charlotte Roule, CEO, ENGIE/ Vice-President, European Union Chamber of Commerce in China

10:30 – 10:45: Panel discussion with Mr. Johan Verstraete, Vice-President Weaving Machines, Picanol/ Board Member, Flanders-China Chamber of Commerce and Mrs. Chalotte Roule

10:45 – 11:00: Q&A and final discussion

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About the speakers:

Mrs. Charlotte Roule

Charlotte Roule is Vice President of the European Union Chamber of Commerce in China and Chief Executive Officer of ENGIE CHINA.

She joined ENGIE China back in 2016 initially as COO, Head of Business Development and Innovation. In line with ENGIE’s strategy and values, she promoted and developed there clean energy (mainly solar and electrical mobility) as well as energy efficiency. ENGIE China now operates directly 6 joint ventures in these areas, covering design and engineering, development and operations.

Before working in China, Mrs. Roule was based in Cheshire, UK, where, jointly with her team, she’s been developing the largest onshore underground gas storage of the country. Prior to this, she served as VP, Audit and Risks and VP, HR in Storengy, ENGIE’s affiliate dedicated to underground gas storage, based near Paris.

Mrs. Roule is a member of the Jinan Mayor’s International Economic Consultation Committee. She also acts as mentor of the Board of the Women in Renewables Asia (WiRA) organization.

Mr. Johan Verstraete

Johan Verstraete is Vice-President Weaving Machines at Picanol Group and Board Member of the Flanders-China Chamber of Commerce.