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2009-06-30 | All chapters

Business Confidence Survey 2009: European businesses remain confident about China, but call for more action to maintain growth

Beijing, 30th June, 2009. The European Union Chamber of Commerce in China today launches its sixth annual European Chamber Business Confidence Survey, which is published in partnership with Roland Berger Strategy Consultants. Drawing on the responses of more than 300 European companies active in China, the 2009 Survey highlights a European business community that remains bullish on China in most sectors and primed to back up that confidence with continued investment in the local economy provided that Chinese government is committed to creating a more free, fair and competitive market.

The 2009 Survey findings show that virtually none of the European businesses in China escaped the financial crisis unscathed. But for most the impact on their operations in China was dwarfed by the fallout in their domestic markets which have been hit much harder by the crisis. As a result, companies are shifting their global strategies – and China is rising in relative importance. European companies are continuing to increase their commitment to China, and are preparing investment strategies and expansion plans to better position themselves for success. Despite the crisis, less than one-third of respondents plan to scale back or postpone their investments in China, reflecting the confidence of European business in China’s potential.

But while there is optimism in the European business community, there is also concern that more needs to be done to bring the economy of the next level of maturity.

Joerg Wuttke, President of the European Chamber, commented, "Our members welcome the stimulus package and the Chinese government’s efforts to sustain growth. But they clearly feel that not enough has been done to unleash the potential of China’s economy. They identify the promotion of more free competition and the breaking down of existing monopolies as the key actions needed to drive growth, and continue to caution against protectionist reactions that would hamper China’s development. In this regard, the European Chamber is not asking for priority to be given to foreign companies – we want to see equal opportunities and a level playing field for all businesses in China."

Charles-Edouard Bouée, Regional Coordinator, Asia/President & Managing Partner of Roland Berger Strategy Consultants Greater China, said, "We are currently seeing positive signs of recovery, but there are still many challenges ahead. The financial crisis has exposed an already existing need for structural reform that is required to build a robust engine to drive China's economic growth for the next 30 years. But this year's survey re-confirms that China is an important market for European businesses today and will continue to be in a world that is increasingly intertwined. So it is critical to understand this market's development and get prepared to maximise the opportunities ahead. "

Following today’s launch, the European Chamber will present the findings from the European Chamber Business Confidence Survey 2009 to government and regulatory agencies in China, to the European Commission and EU Member State Governments, and to a wide range of business organisations and companies in China and Europe.

Key findings of the European Chamber Business Confidence Survey 2009

To download this press release, please click here.

To download the PowerPoint Presentation on the press conference, please click:
Slide 1-9, Slide 10-20, Slide 21-31

For further information, please contact:
Grace Yao, Press Officer
European Union Chamber of Commerce in China
Phone: +86 (0)10 6462 2066 – 30
Mobile: +86 1367 1168 084
E-mail: gyao@euccc.com.cn

中国欧盟商会商业信心调查2009：欧盟企业对中国仍然充满信心，但呼吁中国采取更多的行动保持增长

北京，2009年6月30日。中国欧盟商会与罗兰·贝格国际管理咨询公司合作，于今日发布了《中国欧盟商会商业信心调查2009》。今年的调查集中了300多家在华欧盟企业的意见，调查结果显示大多数行业的欧盟企业对中国仍然充满信心。只要中国政府致力于建立一个更自由、公平并且有竞争的市场，出于这种信心，欧盟企业就会继续在中国投资。

2009年的调查结果表明，几乎没有一家欧盟企业能够在这场金融危机中毫发无损。但是对于大多数企业来说，在中国受到的影响远小于他们在本土市场受到的影响。由此，中国市场相对日益重要，而企业也正在改变他们的全球战略。欧盟企业将继续加大对中国的投入，正着手准备进一步投资战略和市场扩张计划，为取得成功占据优势地位。尽管受到危机的冲击，但只有不到三分之一的受访企业计划减少投入或推迟他们在中国的投资。这反映了欧盟企业对中国经济发展潜力的信心。

虽然秉持乐观态度，但欧盟企业仍然担心，要将中国经济推升至下一个新的发展高度，还需要更多的行动。

中国欧盟商会主席伍德克评论道：“我们的会员企业欢迎中国政府的刺激经济方案及其为保持增长所作的各种努力。但他们明显感到，还没有足够的措施来释放中国经济的潜力。他们认为，营建更为自由的公平竞争环境并消除当前的行业垄断，这两方面是推动经济发展的关键。同时，对于会阻碍中国发展的保护主义措施，他们继续表示反对并告诫。在这方面，中国欧盟商会不是在为外国企业争取优惠待遇，而是希望在华运营的所有公司企业都能在一个公平竞争的环境中获得平等的发展机会。”

罗兰·贝格国际管理咨询有限公司亚洲区主管、大中华区总裁及执行合伙人常博逸先生说：“目前我们已经看到了中国经济复苏的积极征兆，但是依然面临着严峻挑战，金融危机暴露了中国经济长期存在的结构性问题。中国必须进行一个以长期目标为着眼点的改革，建立强有力的经济增长引擎，从而启动中国经济在下一个三十年的持续增长。今年的调查再次证明，对于欧洲企业，中国是一个非常重要的市场，而且中国在未来将更多地融入到全球经济发展中，因此真正了解这个市场并且最大化把握机遇就显得尤为关键。”

在今天发布会后，中国欧盟商会将把《中国欧盟商会商业信心调查2009》陆续呈递给中国各级政府和监管机构、欧盟委员会、欧盟各成员国政府以及中欧双方众多的商业组织和企业。

《中国欧盟商会商业信心调查2009》内容要点

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姚辰
中国欧盟商会新闻官
电话：+86 (0)10 6462 2066 – 30
手机：+86 1367 1168 084
电邮：gyao@euccc.com.cn

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