Based on the interest generated by our recent Trade & Distribution (T&D) Breakfast Forum which brought together over 60 company representatives, we are pleased to inform you that the EUCCC is launching a T&D Working Group in Beijing as a platform for European companies to share experience and address the challenges they face in the opening environment.
While the release of the FICE and WFOCE Measures last year and the recent new Franchising Regulation set an encouraging regulatory framework, the implementation as such is a source of concern for foreign operators who want to establish their own T&D subsidiaries or expand their business scope to include trade and distribution. At this stage, quite a number of questions are left unanswered and companies find it difficult to assess which option will suit them best.
In this context, the T&D WG aims to engage in an effective dialogue with Mofcom, possibly in a joint effort with other Chambers, to eliminate the current obstacles and potential barriers.The key areas of concern expressed at the Breakfast Forum included:
- Implementation
- Coordination between Central and Local Mofcom
- Business Scope expansion
- Taxation - VAT
- Capital requirement
- Product specifications
- Issues specific to Automotive & Pharmaceutical sectors
- Retail Operations (30 stores ceiling)
We would be delighted if you could join us on Friday 15 April at 9 a.m. for our T&D WG Kick-off meeting. On this occasion, we will further explore and dig into the key topics listed above, set a forward agenda and an action plan.
Thank you for confirming your attendance at your earliest convenience to dsalaun@euccc.com.cn. Feel free to email specific issues you would like to address during discussion ahead of time.
We also encourage interested members to submit their candidacy to the Chair or Vice Chair(s) positions. The Chairperson and Vice Chairperson will play key roles in driving the development of the Working Group in 2005. With support from the Business Manager, taking up this key position will enable you to help promote the Working Group?? activities and communicate targeted messages on behalf of the industry to senior policy makers in China and Europe. You would also serve as spokesperson in efforts to raise the Group's visibility in the media.
Please click here to access the presentation by Dr. Etgen