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2011-05-25 | All chapters

For Immediate Release

European Business in China Performing Well in a Competitive Environment Amid Regulatory Concerns

Beijing, 25 May 2011– European companies in China demonstrated strong overall growth in 2010, but have growing concerns over rising challenges in the regulatory environment, according to the European Chamber Business Confidence Survey 2011, released today by the European Union Chamber of Commerce in China and Roland Berger Strategy Consultants.

China is increasingly regarded as a strategic market for European companies, with 78% registering a significant rise in revenue last year and 71% reporting that net profit has risen. This is in the face of growing competition from domestic companies, which are catching up with their overseas counterparts in areas once perceived as the stronghold of Foreign-Invested Enterprises (FIEs).

In such a competitive environment, the need for transparency and well-regulated markets becomes increasingly important. Survey respondents also perceived government policies have become increasingly unfair for FIEs in China over the past two years. European industry expressed greater optimism regarding regulators’ willingness to make changes in the spirit of the World Trade Organisation Agreement, although many companies felt that actual implementation continues to lag. This year, the vast majority of survey respondents named ‘rule of law and transparent policy-making and implementation’ as a key driver for China's economic performance in the coming years.

Davide Cucino, President of the European Chamber commented, “European industry has invested heavily in China and in doing so, is well-positioned to contribute to China’s aim to switch to a more balanced economic growth model, through providing high-tech, high-quality and green products and technologies, as well as vast strengths in the services industry. We are expecting more opening in these sectors, as indicated in the 12th Five-Year Plan.

Mr. Cucino added, “However, in order for European companies to continue contributing, the right business environment is required. We do not ask for preferential treatment, but simply equal treatment and an open market access environment. With concerns over a perceived unfair playing field and regulatory environment intensifying, questions are raised about China’s claim to be an equal opportunity market and about the attractiveness of China in the longer term.”

Charles-Edouard Bouée, Asia President of Roland Berger Strategy Consultants, said, “European industry is facing increased competition in China from both international and domestic competitors. In particular, vast improvements have been seen from local competitors in brand recognition, marketing and sales capability, and product quality. In order for European companies to stay competitive in China, they need to seek to understand what local clients and consumers demand and continue to differentiate their products and services. To that end, this report is designed to help European industry gain insights that support their strategic planning and tactical decision-making."

The European Chamber Business Confidence Survey 2011 is again produced in partnership with Roland Berger Strategy Consultants and draws on feedback from nearly 600 European companies – the highest participation rate ever for this annual publication.

For more information, please contact:

Effie Wu

Press Officer

European Union Chamber of Commerce in China

Phone: +86 (0)10 6462 2066 – 22

Mobile: +86 134 8888 1345       

E-mail: ewu@europeanchamber.com.cn

Website: www.europeanchamber.com.cn

媒体通稿

在华欧盟企业在竞争中表现良好，对中国监管状况仍存担忧

北京，2011年5月25日- 中国欧盟商会同罗兰·贝格战略咨询公司今天共同发布的《欧盟商会商业信心调查2011》显示，在华欧洲企业2010年整体增长强劲，然而他们对监管环境带来的挑战的担忧也呈上升趋势。

《商业信心调查2011》结果显示，对于欧洲企业来说，中国市场的战略重要性不断上升。面对来自中国本土不断白热化的竞争，78%的受访企业表示公司在过去一年收益上升，另有71%的企业表示他们去年的净利润有所增长。中国本土企业在一些以往被认为是外资企业强项的行业上竞争力也不断增强。

在如此高度竞争的环境里，良好和透明的市场秩序便愈发重要。受访企业认为，在过去的两年中，政府政策对在华外资企业呈不公平程度有所增加。虽然许多企业感觉政策的实际执行有拖延现象，欧洲行业代表对于政策制定者秉承世界贸易组织协定精神做出改变的意愿表示乐观。今年，绝大多数受访企业都将“法治和政策制定和执行的透明化”列为推动未来几年中国经济发展的重要因素之一。

中国欧盟商会主席大卫先生表示：“欧洲企业在中国投资庞大，通过这些巨额投资，我们非常适合为中国向更平衡的经济增长模式转型做出贡献。我们在高科技、高质量的绿色产品和技术，以及服务业方面都可以提供许多经验。我们期待在这些领域中看到“十二五”规划中提及的进一步开放。”

大卫先生补充道：“然而，良好的商业环境对于保证欧洲企业持续对中国市场做贡献至关重要。我们要求的不是优惠待遇，而是平等对待以及一个开放的市场准入环境。欧洲企业对既有不公平竞争和监管环境的担忧不断上升，这使某些公司对中国作为提供公平机会市场的承诺和商业环境的长期吸引力产生了质疑。”

罗兰贝格战略咨询公司亚太区总裁常博逸认为：“欧洲企业在中国面临着来自国际和本土对手的愈发激烈的竞争。中国本土企业在品牌认知、市场研究和销售能力以及产品质量方面都有了长足的进步。为了保持自己在中国市场的竞争力，欧洲企业需要更好了解本地客户和消费者的需求，并继续改进产品和服务。本调查旨在为欧洲企业提供具有洞察力的意见，帮助他们更好制定战略计划和重要决定。”

《欧盟商会商业信心调查2011》再次由中国欧盟商会和罗兰贝格战略咨询有限公司合作推出。今年有将近600家会员企业参与了调查，这是迄今为止会员参与度最高的一本报告。

如需更多信息，请联系：

吴冕

中国欧盟商会新闻官

电话: +86 10 6462 2066 - 22

传真: +86 10 6462 2067

手机: +86 134 8888 1345

邮箱: ewu@europeanchamber.com.cn

网址: www.europeanchamber.com.cn

For more information please contact