The European Chamber and the EU SME Centre invites you to our first Inter-Chamber Working Group meeting of 2020. The meeting will have experts analysing Small and Medium-sized Enterprises' situation throughout the outbreak of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) and properly give advice through online discussion.
Please notice this is a webinar, it not possible to join by coming to our office.
The novel coronavirus (COVD-19) has impacted many areas of China’s economic and social ecosystem, including the business community. In particular, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) operating in China, as one of the most vulnerable groups, have been hit the hardest by the outbreak. The Chinese government, aware of the issues faced by small businesses, has released a host of supporting policies to help them weather the current crisis. As a foreign SME, it is key to make sure your business has the necessary policy knowledge and management tools to address the multiple challenges created by this situation.
The EU SME Centre and the European Chamber are thus pleased to invite you to our webinar where we will address pressing questions on how and what to do to overcome the impacts of COVID-19 for SMEs operating in China. Mr. Kyle Freeman, Partner at Dezan Shira, will give an overview of the current situation and will provide practical advice on measures to take as a small business, while Ms. Xuanyi Song, Division Chief of the Policy Research Centre of the China Centre for the Promotion of SME Development (ProSME), an institutional unit under the direct leadership of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT), will present on the exceptional policies and regulations released by the Chinese authorities to support SMEs. The official will be speaking in Chinese while the Chamber will provide consecutive English translation.
If you would like to attend, please register with Ms. Cindi Yu before Wednesday, 19th February noon or register through our website. If you have any questions to the MIIT officials, please forward them to us along with confirmation email. We will send those registered the link and instructions for accessing the webinar platform.
Agenda
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15:15-15:30
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Opening of Video-Conference
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15:30-15:35
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Opening Remarks
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15:35-16:10
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Presentation by Kyle Freeman
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16:10-16:45
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Presentation by MIIT official
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16:45-17:30
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Discussion and Q&A
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Speakers
Kyle Freeman
Kyle Freeman is a Partner at Dezan Shira & Associates, and leads the International Business Advisory team in North China as well as the firm's North American client services desk in Asia. He advises clients on market entry strategy, corporate structuring and establishment, and related tax and legal issues concerning investment in China, Hong Kong, and Southeast Asia. Prior to joining Dezan Shira & Associates, Kyle worked in government relations and China trade policy for various public and private organizations. His work included assisting in high-level, US-China bilateral trade dialogues and organizing public-private cooperation programs to promote US and foreign investment in China.
Kyle has a master's degree in economics and international trade from the University of International Business and Economics, in Beijing, and dual bachelor's degrees in economics and global affairs from George Mason University, in Washington D.C. He has also been a visiting fellow at the University of Oxford and the Beijing Language Culture University.
Xuanyi Song
Ms. Song is the division chief of the Policy Research Centre at the China Centre for Promotion of SME Development (ProSME) at the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT).
Founded under the direct care of the State Council leaders, ProSME China is a state-level comprehensive institution specializing in SME services. After over twenty years of development, it has built up an experienced contingent of cadres who are familiar with policies and regulations and skilled in planning and coordinating. Faced with new opportunities and challenges, it will carry out the Scientific Outlook on Development and adapt to the new approach to industrialization. By keeping a balance between short-term and long-term, home and abroad, serving the government and facing the market, it aims to build a state-level institution with world reputation ensuring not only government recognition but also enterprises’ satisfaction in its comprehensive service-supply to SMEs.
