EUCCC Public Procurement, Construction Working Group
Joint Meeting on Ingenious Innovation and GPL
Venue: European Union Delegation North Wing, 2nd floor, Marco Polo Room
Date & Time: 8th Feb, 4.30-6.00 PM
Dear Public Procurement, Construction Working Group Members,
Last November, the Ministry of Science and technology (MOST), the Ministry of Finance (MoF) and the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) jointly issued Notice #618 on an Indigenous Innovation Product Accreditation Catalogue. The catalogue drew responses from the international business community, including the Chamber who sent the relevant ministers a letter on December 14th. In December and January, the topic of China’s “Indigenous Innovation” policies have risen on the agenda in both Washington and Brussels.
On January 29th, MOST Minister Wan Gang responded to the Chamber letter, re-iterating China’s commitment to its “Indigenous Innovation” program, but also underlying the fact that this program is non-discriminatory and open to foreign-invested companies registered in China.
Minister Wan Gang emphasized the following points:
- The purpose of “Indigenous Innovation” Product Accreditation is to encourage all enterprises operating in China, including foreign-capital enterprises and joint ventures, to innovate.
- All companies registered in China, including FIEs, would enjoy equal treatment in the accreditation process.
- Indigenous Innovation product accreditation is not directly connected to government procurement.
- Regarding Chamber concerns on the topic of IPR, the Minister explained that products that “are not subject to foreign restriction and restraint” in Notice 618 refer to those that possess intellectual property rights and trade-marks; and the term is not a discriminatory condition against FIEs. Note: This appears to be a reference to licensing, though this is only an interpretation.
- The accreditation process was open and transparent, and that MOST would strive to improve the policy and its implementation, and looked forward to further discussions with Embassies, Chambers and companies on the issue.
We would like to invite you to participate in a joint meeting with colleagues from the EU Delegation, where we will:
1. Receive feedback regarding perception of the issue in Brussels
2. Review how Indigenous Innovation policies affect member business and how the Chamber should address the issue
We would like to invite you a meeting at the European Union Delegation North Wing, 2nd floor, Marco Polo Room (map attached).
Due to a limited number of seats available, we will be giving priority to companies that are potentially directly affected by these regulations.
To register, please press “reply all” to register with Mr. Tom Li, by noon Monday February 8th