2025 China Outlook Conference: A Strategic Rethink of Doing Business in China Go back »
-
Time2024-12-03 | 14:30 - 17:00
-
Venue:Swissotel Grand Shanghai 上海宏安瑞士大酒店
-
Address:3F Davos, No.1 Yuyuan Road, Shanghai
上海静安区愚园路1号,3楼达沃斯厅 -
Fee:Members: 500 |
Non Members: 900
Sponsors and partners
As the challenges of doing business mount and the rewards diminish, many foreign-invested enterprises have concluded that their China operations require a strategic reassessment. After over a decade of limited action to implement promised reforms by the Chinese government, European business confidence has reached an all-time low on many measures, and expectations of meaningful change have been significantly reduced.
The challenges facing international businesses in the Chinese market are proliferating and intensifying, including China's economic slowdown, the highly politicised business environment, perennial market access and regulatory barriers, overcapacity and sluggish domestic consumption. Companies have begun adjusting their expectations for and approaches to the Chinese market. Some have started shifting investments planned for China to alternative markets. There is an increasing trend towards both on- and off-shoring and/or localising supply chains, which represents a strategic shift towards siloing China operations from the rest of the world.
Looking ahead to 2025, pressing questions arise: How will these challenges and trends evolve? What are the prospects for the Chinese market, both at the industry and national levels? What investment opportunities remain for foreign businesses? And what measures must businesses adopt to maintain competitiveness and resilience in this changing landscape?
Join us on 3rd December to gain a better understanding of global shifts and learn how to navigate the complexities of doing business in China, ensuring your organisation is well prepared to seize opportunities in the evolving landscape.
Agenda:
Master of Ceremony: Mr Steven Basart, General Manager, European Chamber Shanghai Chapter
14:00-14:30 |
Registration and Networking |
14:30-14:35 |
Opening Remarks, Mr Carlo Diego D'Andrea, Vice President of the European Chamber and Chairman of the Shanghai Board |
14:35-14:45 |
Keynote Speech: The State of Global Trade & Outlook, by Mr Jens Eskelund, President, European Chamber |
14:45-14:55 |
Keynote Speech: Navigating the Growth Cycle: Innovation as a Catalyst for Opportunity, by Prof Dr Clas Neumann, Senior Vice President, Head of Global SAP Labs Network; Chairman of German Chamber of Commerce in China · East |
14:55-15:35 |
Panel Discussion (including a 10-minute Q&A): Geopolitical and China Economic Outlook 2025 Moderator: Ms Anke Schrader, China Director, Economist Intelligence Corporate Network, The Economist Group Panellists:
|
15:35-16:15
|
Fireside Chat on Stay Competitive and Resilient in the China Market
|
16:15-16:55 |
CEO Discussion: Investing in the Future Moderator: Mr Jens Ewert, Shanghai Chapter Vice Chair, European Chamber Panellists:
|
16:55-17:00 |
Closing Remarks |
Registration deadline: 2nd December COB
How to pay:
Pay while registering online or on-site.
Invoice: digital 普票 will be issued to registrants who applied when doing registration, in 10 workdays from 3rd December.
Terms & Conditions
Events have limited seating so to ensure your attendance we encourage advance online registration and payment. We cannot guarantee entry to anyone not registered in advance.
Events are held in English and follow the Chatham House rule unless otherwise stated.
Advisory Council Policy
Members of the Advisory Council may receive complimentary admission to Chamber seminars, conferences and factory visits up to two attendees per event. Additional participants will be charged at the member rate.
Advisory Council members will still be charged the standard member rate for participation in training courses and special events, such as gala balls, government appreciation dinners, or admission to corporate social events/tournaments.
For further information contact Maureen Dai mtdai@europeanchamber.com.cn
Cancellation Policy
If you cannot attend the event for which you have registered, please cancel your registration no later than one business day prior to the event. If you fail to notify us of your cancellation in a timely fashion, you will be charged for event costs.
To cancel you can: 1) email sh.marketing@europeanchamber.com.cn, or 2) cancel online if you registered for the event through the website.
Disclaimer 免责声明:
Please note that the European Union Chamber of Commerce in China (as the host of the event) might take photographs from the event and post these on its public webpage (or social media platforms) in order to create awareness of these events. By attending this event you consent to the European Union Chamber of Commerce in China taking and using such photographs as described above.
Speakers
Mr. Steven Basart
Mr. Steven Basart
Steven has lived and worked in China for over 15 years in the non-profit management industry leading and representing global trade associations, professional societies and business interest groups in the region.
Steven is a Dutch national and a Permanent Resident of China. He is a lawyer and sinologist by training. He has a native level language proficiency in Mandarin, English, and Dutch.
Mr. Carlo Diego D’Andrea
Mr. Carlo Diego D’Andrea
Founder and Managing Partner of D’Andrea & Partners Legal Counsel, and Founder of DP Group.
Graduated in Law at the University of Teramo (Italy), he then subsequently obtained a Masters’ degree in Corporate Advisor at LUISS University in Rome and a Diploma in Chinese Studies at Nanjing Normal University and is a member of the Italian Bar Association.
Mr. D’Andrea arrived in China in 2005 and is fluent in Italian (mother tongue), English, Mandarin Chinese and Spanish. He mainly deals with cross-border mergers and acquisitions, assistance in ODI/FDI and intellectual property rights.
He is also acting as Vice President of the European Chamber and Chair of the Shanghai Chapter.
Mr. Jens Eskelund
Mr. Jens Eskelund
Jens Eskelund was born in 1970 in Aarhus, Denmark. He holds an MA in philosophy and has studied at University of Aarhus and University of Texas at Austin. He has also pursued studies in Chinese at Renmin University in Beijing. Coming to Beijing as a student in 1998, Jens Eskelund began his career in China as Commercial Officer at the Danish Embassy to China before taking on a position in marketing for Maersk Line in Beijing in 2000. He has since held positions as General Manager for Public Affairs for Maersk Line in China and later Director of Public Affairs for North Asia before assuming his present role as Chief Representative for Maersk in the Greater China Area and North-East Asia. Primary focus areas comprise engaging government entities, institutions and trade associations on matters of policy, regulatory environment and business development on behalf of the companies within the Maersk Group.
Jens Eskelund is a former Chairman of the Danish Chamber of Commerce in China as well as the Vice President and Chair of Maritime Working Group of the European Chamber. Jens was elected as the President of European Chamber in May 2023.
Jens Eskelund is married and has two sons.
Mr. Clas Neumann
Mr. Clas Neumann
As the Head of SAP Labs Network (SLN), Dr. Neumann is leading the management and operation of 21 labs across the globe. Under his leadership, the SLN organization has grown significantly and is successfully running as the backbone of the entire R&D value chain in SAP. Today, SAP Labs is ranked among the best employers in most countries and has transformed its business to support global, innovative product development and local business growth alike.
Being part of SAP’s Senior Executive Team, Neumann has a 30-year advantageous career in SAP. Neumann has spent years in the fast-growing markets to develop the organization, with more than 20 years in India and China. Dr. Neumann has played an instrumental role in SAP’s entry into China, later being considered as the second home for SAP from the corporate strategy perspective. Before his role as Head of SLN, he was SVP in SAP’s breakthrough innovation group and the President of SAP Labs India. He helped establish the largest R&D Hub of SAP outside of Germany in Bangalore by growing it constantly to its current strength of 10,000+ talented engineers, responsible for various products and solutions of SAP.
Dr. Neumann is recognized for his business achievements in Asia, evident through his many invitations to join high-level business circles and associations. At present, he serves as Chairperson of the German Chamber of Commerce East China, the Vice Chairman of the Board and Member of the Steering Committee in the East Asian Association (OAV), and a Board Member of the Indo-German Science & Technology Centre (IGSTC).
Furthermore, he co-authored several books and articles on innovation and business practice in emerging markets. Dr. Neumann speaks regularly at major conferences (e.g. World Economic Forum, China International Import Expo, Asia Berlin Summit) and top universities, such as Tsinghua University, Tongji University, San Jose State University, Seoul National University, National University of Singapore, Nanyang Technology University among others..
Dr. Neumann holds a doctoral degree in Business Administration from École des Ponts Paris Tech Business School in France, and an MBA degree from INSEAD, Fontainbleau, and Singapore. Neumann has been appointed as the Adjunct Professor of Tongji University and School of Economics and Management, Dalian University of Technology.
Ms. Anke Schrader
Ms. Anke Schrader
Anke Schrader leads research on Corporate Citizenship and Sustainability in China at The Conference Board, a global business research think tank with 4,500+ members globally. Anke’s expertise includes China’s sustainable development agenda, corporate sustainability, and civil society engagement. She is the author of numerous publications and frequently presents research at conferences, briefings, webcasts, and across a range of media outlets. Anke has led multi-year research partnerships with Cornell University and Indiana University (funded by the Henry Luce Foundation and the Ford Foundation), was a guest lecturer at Cornell’s Employment and Disability Institute and is a mentor for the Schwarzman Scholars Program at Tsinghua University.
Dr. Alicia García Herrero
Dr. Alicia García Herrero
Alicia García Herrero is the Chief Economist for Asia Pacific at French investment bank Natixis, based in Hong Kong and is an independent Board Member of AGEAS insurance group. Alicia also serves as Senior Fellow at the European think-tank BRUEGEL and as a non-resident Senior Follow at the East Asian Institute (EAI) of the National University Singapore (NUS). Alicia is also Adjunct Professor at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST). Finally, Alicia is and an advisor to the Spanish government on economic affairs, a Member of the Board of the Center for Asia-Pacific Resilience and Innovation (CAPRI), a member of the Advisory Board of the Berlin-based Mercator Institute for China Studies (MERICS), an advisor to the Hong Kong Monetary Authority’s research arm (HKIMR) and a Member of the Council of the Focused Ultrasound Foundation (FUF).
In previous years, Alicia held the following positions: Chief Economist for Emerging Markets at Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria (BBVA), Member of the Asian Research Program at the Bank of International Settlements (BIS), Head of the International Economy Division of the Bank of Spain, Member of the Counsel to the Executive Board of the European Central Bank, Head of Emerging Economies at the Research Department at Banco Santander, and Economist at the International Monetary Fund. As regards her academic career, Alicia has served as visiting Professor at John Hopkins University (SAIS program), China-Europe International Business School (CEIBS) and Carlos III University.
Alicia holds a PhD in Economics from George Washington University and has published extensively in refereed journals and books (see her publications in ResearchGate, Google Scholar, SSRN or REPEC). Alicia is very active in international media (such as BBC, Bloomberg, CNBC and CNN) as well as social media (LinkedIn and Twitter). As a recognition of her thought leadership, Alicia was included in the TOP Voices in Economy and Finance by LinkedIn in 2017 and #6 Top Social Media leader by Refinitiv in 2020.
Mr. Frank Bournois
Mr. Frank Bournois
Prof. Frank Bournois is Vice President and Dean of China Europe International Business School (CEIBS). He joined CEIBS in April 2023. Beginning in 2014, Prof. Bournois served as Executive President and Dean of ESCP Business School, the oldest and one of the most international business schools in the world with campuses in Berlin (Germany), London (UK), Madrid (Spain), Paris (France), Turin (Italy) and Warsaw (Poland). He was a full Professor of General Management and Cross-Cultural Leadership at Paris Panthéon-Assas University from 1997 to 2014, and he has supervised more than 70 doctoral students. He also served as Chairman of the National Committee for the Evaluation and Accreditation of Business Schools at the Ministries of Industry and Higher Education from 2009 to 2013. The Fellows of the Academy of International Business (AIB) elected him as the 2024 AIB International Educator of the Year.
Prof. Frank Bournois is a FRSA-Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts (UK), and holds a Ph.D. in Business Strategy from the University of Lyon (France), an MBA from Aston University (UK), a Master in Management from EM Lyon (France) and DSc from City University of London (UK).
Prof. Bournois specialises in corporate governance and the study of how large European firms identify, manage and develop their future leaders. He has provided consulting services for companies such as Airbus, Bouygues, EDF, L’Oréal and Safran. Since 2019, he has served as a Member of the Global Supervisory Board of Mazars, a leading audit and advisory firm where he also chairs the Audit Committee.
Prof. Bournois is the author or co-author of 20 books, including The Handbook of Top Management Teams (Palgrave, 2010). He is an Officer in the Legion of Honour and a Commander in the Order of Merit (France), and has been awarded the Gold Medal for Education (Lebanon).
Mr. Thomas Zimmerle
Mr. Thomas Zimmerle
Thomas Zimmerle was appointed as Chief Financial Officer of Infineon Technologies Greater China Region since 1 April 2022.
Thomas began his career with Siemens/Infineon in 1996. He held various Financial Controlling positions in Munich and Singapore, before he joined the former Memory Division / Qimonda as Finance Head for the Product Line Server.
Since 2017 Thomas is the regional Head of Controlling & Business Administration in Asia Pacific, where he drove the set-up of additional legal entities, to support further regional growth in Asia Pacific. During the past four years in Singapore, he was also the business lead for the successful oneSAP roll-outs in Singapore and Munich.
Mr. Andrew Wu
Mr. Andrew Wu
Born & raised in Shanghai, Andrew WU is a leading authority on Chinese consumer trends and influential professional in luxury industry for the region. With MBA degree from Schulich Business School, after living in Canada 1980~1993, he returned to head Dior cosmetics operation in China for LVMH, pioneering local luxury marketing and retailing between 1993~2000; he then joined Sony Music Entertainment between 2000-2005 to help commercialization of Chinese artists & repertoire in Greater China; and he re-joined LVMH in 2005 as Group head of Greater China territories, overseeing rapid business development of LVMH’s multi brand portfolio in Chinese marketplace over past 19 years. While inconvenienced for international travel during three years of Covid-19 pandemic, he has also become a well-respected promoter of Chinese culture and heritage, gaining much social recognition in China.
Mr. Feng Shen
Mr. Feng Shen
Mr. Feng Shen joined NIO in December 2017, and currently serves as executive vice president and chairman of quality management committee. Mr. Shen worked in several senior executive management roles, such as president of Polestar China and global chief technology officer at Polestar, president at Volvo Cars China R&D Company, vice president of Volvo Cars Asia-Pacific Operation, and chairman at China-Sweden Traffic Safety Research Center from 2010 to 2017. Prior to that, Mr. Shen served in various roles, including powertrain manager and six-sigma quality management master, at Ford Motor Company from 1999 to 2010 in the United States and China.
Mr. Shen received a bachelor’s degree in mathematics and mechanics and a master’s degree in applied mechanics from Fudan University in 1984 and 1987, respectively. He also received a doctoral degree in mechanical engineering from Auburn University in 1996. He has received many international and domestic honors and awards. In 2020, Dr. Shen was conferred fellowship by China Society of Automotive Engineers (China-SAE), the highest honor for individual members, and serves as a member of the standing committee of China-SAE. In 2023, he was honored as the Remarkable Scientific and Technological Worker of the 60th
Anniversary of China-SAE. He was appointed the Vice President of International Federation of Automotive Engineering Societies (FISITA) for Industry Committee, and received the 2022 Academy of Technical Leadership Award from FISITA, in recognition of his efforts in driving continuous innovation and promoting excellence in mobility engineering.
Mr. Jens Ewert
Mr. Jens Ewert
Jens Ewert, a Senior Partner with Deloitte China, has over 30 years of working experience in the professional services, based in Shanghai since end 2002 – he has been a member of Deloitte China Eastern Region Management team since then. Jens is the national leader for Deloitte China Life Science & Health Care Industry, leading a dedicated industry team comprising over 1000+ partners and professionals. He also covers our full range of multidisciplinary services, from consulting, risk & financial & tax advisory and audit & assurance, offering to Multinational Clients in China.
Jens has received the ‘Magnolia Silver Award’ from the Shanghai Government in September 2021, recognizing foreign business leaders for their special and outstanding contribution to the City’s development. He is also a Board member at the EUCCC Shanghai and the National Vice-Chair of the Investment Working group at the EU Chamber in China.
Prior to moving to China, he has been working in numerous countries always in professional services, such as France, Hungary, Vietnam and Indonesia. He hold a Master degree from University Paris X Dauphine in Business & Finance and a Diploma of Political Science from Institut d'Etudes Politiques de Paris. He also attended numerous executive programs at IMD and Insead. He is married to Christine and calls France his home.
Mr. Mohammed Tawil
Mr. Mohammed Tawil
Mohammed Tawil is currently serving as the President and CEO of Boehringer Ingelheim Greater China, responsible for the company’s business operation in Chinese Mainland, Hong Kong and Taiwan. He manages the focus market with over 3,800 employees, where innovative life-saving therapies are introduced across the company's businesses in Human Pharma, Animal Health, and Biopharmaceutical CDMO.
Tawil is a highly experienced and successful leader in the pharmaceutical industry. He brings valuable experience in introducing data-led and insights-driven initiatives to develop the overall strategic direction. Prior to his current role, Tawil served as
the Regional Managing Director and Head of Human Pharma India, Middle East, Turkey, and Africa (IMETA). In this role, he was the driving force in transforming the company’s operations and led the successful integration of India into the region in 2021. Tawil is a veteran of Boehringer Ingelheim, having held multiple senior leadership positions throughout his over two decades career. He joined Boehringer Ingelheim in 1995 as a Medical Representative in Jordan and subsequently held various senior positions in the Near East, Middle East, and North Africa. In 2017, he took on the role of Corporate Regional Manager for China, Mexico, Brazil, and South America while based at the company's headquarters in Germany.
In addition to his corporate responsibilities, Tawil maintains membership of the advisory committee of the European Union Chamber of Commerce (EUCCC) and plays an active role in the R&D-based Pharmaceutical Association Committee (RDPAC) on behalf of the company. Tawil holds a Bachelor's degree in pharmacy.
Ms. Holly Lei
Ms. Holly Lei
Holly Lei (Senior Vice President, Covestro Group, President of Covestro China) is the first local female leader for this position in Covestro China.
Lei started her career at Bayer MaterialScience (the predecessor company of Covestro) in 1999 as a technical representative, and has since increased responsibilities focusing on sales, marketing and R&D . She held various management positions in China, the APAC region and globally, and devoted her cross-industry insights and customer centric mindset to develop Covestro’s business globally.
As a seasoned leader strong at managing dispersed teams, Lei is also an affectionate people leader and excels at fostering an environment that allows people to flourish and develop to their fullest potential. As an avid ambassador of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) at Covestro, she is actively involved in promoting Female leadership in the workplace and DEI culture with outstanding contribution and social influence.
Lei holds a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from Dalian University of Technology in China and a master’s degree in material science from Université de Sherbrooke in Canada. She has also received executive training at INSEAD Business School in France.
Lei is also a supervisory board member of GEA Group AG, Vice Chair of the Shanghai Chapter of the European Union Chamber of Commerce in China, and she was granted with several awards, such as 2020 China Women in Tech by Forbes, 2021, 2022 & 2023 China Most Powerful Women by Fortune, etc.
Mr. Pontus Erntell
Mr. Pontus Erntell
Mr. Pontus Erntell officially assumed the role of President and Chief Sustainability Officer of IKEA China in November 2022, taking the responsibility of leading the country management team to guide and develop IKEA's retail business. He is committed to elevating IKEA China's competitiveness through innovative mindset and keen insights, to meet the needs of different generations of Chinese consumers. He also strives to optimize efficiency regarding working process and organization operations, with the goal of creating a better IKEA fitting for future.
Relying on IKEA's expertise and varied solutions in home furnishing, Mr. Pontus Erntell is committed to integrating IKEA concepts in the interaction with Chinese consumers, maintaining IKEA’s uniqueness as well as enhancing its influence. Mr. Pontus Erntell works closely with the global team of IKEA, to lead IKEA China to develop strategic direction fitting Chinese market environment in line with the global strategy. He also strives to implement the business plan and secure the growth of the core business, being committed to creating life at home experience meeting Chinese consumers’ consumption habits and needs. As Chief Sustainability Officer, Mr. Pontus Erntell also leads the integration of the sustainability strategy of "People & Planet Positive" in the retail market, incorporating the sustainability in daily work, product development and consumer interaction. Internally, he actively practices IKEA's values, creates an open and inclusive work environment, engages in communication with co-workers, empowering them to realize their own value, and is committed to promoting the all-round development of talents.
Since joining IKEA in 2001, Mr. Pontus Erntell has held positions in supply chain, financial planning, business operations and other related positions in different business units in IKEA's value chain for more than 20 years, giving him a wide range of experience in IKEA. Before coming to China, Mr. Erntell held leadership roles in several IKEA retail markets.