China Direct

CBI China Member Success Stories April 2013

 

Dear Members,

Kindly find our April 2013 summary of CBI members in China that have recently highlighted a business successs.

Member companies mentioned include:

• Arup
• Atkins
• Bentley Motors
• The Blackstone Group
• BP
• British Airways
• Burberry
• Clifford Chance
• DLA Piper
• Ericsson
• Eversheds
• Ford Motor Company
• Fuji Xerox
• GKN
• Harvey Nash
• HSBC
• Infineum
• Jaguar Land Rover (JLR)
• Marks & Spencer (M&S)
• Norton Rose
• Philips
• Pinewood Shepperton
• PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC)
• Rio Tinto
• SABMiller
• The Scotch Whisky Association
• Siemens
• Standard Chartered
• UBM
• Unilever
• The University of Birmingham
• The University of Nottingham

Please download the full summary below:

Download CBI China Celebrating CBI member success in China April 2013

 

CBI publishes "The Only Way is Exports" Report: 'mid-sized businesses must be at heart of export-led recovery'

 

 

The CBI recently released its report "The Only Way is Exports: renewing the U.K.'s role as a trading nation", which says that growing mid-sized companies with the potential to enter new markets must be at the forefront of any export-led recovery.

However, the CBI warns that too many businesses are impeded by the perceived risks and costs of exploring new overseas markets, with only one fifth of the U.K.'s SMEs exporting, compared with a quarter across the E.U.

The report includes 11 CBI recommendations, which are organised under the following three categories:

• Businesses must match capabilities to changing demand

• Putting exports at the heart of industrial strategy

• Setting the right resourcing framework

John Cridland, CBI Director-General, said, "Global trade has been one of the bedrocks of U.K. economic strength but to cement our position as a leading exporting nation in the future we need more active Government support.

"While we are making progress in some fast-growing markets, weaker than expected economic growth in our major trading partners has held us back. We also have a heavy dependence on imports: ships are arriving in U.K. ports bringing in more goods than they take back.

"The growing middle classes of Asia and Latin America want to purchase leading U.K. branded goods and services, so there is every reason for the U.K. to be confident as long as businesses continue to make headway."

Please click here to access the full press release and report.

Jaguar Land Rover wins Rising Star Award at Cathay Pacific China Business Awards

 

 

CBI member Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) recently won the Rising Star Award at the Cathay Pacific China Business Awards 2012, which were held in London in January. The Rising Star Award recognises dynamic and innovative businesses, which have opened operations in China within the last five years and demonstrate entrepreneurial flair.

Bob Grace, President, Jaguar Land Rover China, said, "We are honoured by the recognition from both the organiser and the judging panel. The award is a great encouragement for Jaguar Land Rover China and is highly valued by us.

We have developed rapidly following the establishment of the National Sales company in China in 2010, and since then have tripled our yearly sales performance by 2012, a result of successful investments and sales network expansion, product launches, enhanced after-sales service, etc.

We will enter 2013 armed with a long-term development strategy to further deepen our roots in China."

Please click here to read the full press release by JLR.

CBI to support new 5 year scheme promoting UK-Sino business and legal ties

 

19 February 2013

The Confederation of British Industry (CBI) will support the Sino-British Legal Partnership Initiative (“LPI”), jointly organised by the China Britain Law Institute (“CBLI”), and the Confucius Institute for Business, London, (the "Confucius Institute").

The initiative will run between 2013 and 2018. It will see annual seminars held alternately at China’s leading Tsinghua University and the London School of Economics and Political Science (“LSE”).

These seminars will bring together leading British and Chinese experts in trade, commerce and law to address legal issues of particular significance to Anglo-Chinese business. 30 law firms from across China and the UK will be participating in the scheme.

Matthew Townsend, CBLI Director commented:
“We believe this initiative will offer genuine value in helping cement the relationship between the legal communities of the two countries.  The CBI has been extremely supportive of this effort and we are very grateful.”

The initiative was announced at the LSE’s London campus on 19 February 2013.

More information about the China Britain Law Institute can be found at www.cbli.org

More Confucius Institute for Business info can be found at: http://www2.lse.ac.uk/CIBL/home.aspx

IHG announces major management change in China

 

 

 

Mr. Keith Barr, the current China Managing Director of Intercontinental Hotel Group (IHG), will be relocating to the UK to assume a new role in June 2013. He will be replaced by Mr. Kenneth MacPherson who is General Manager of fellow member Diageo's Shuijingfang business in Chengdu, Sichuan.

China Direct would like to congratulate both Mr. Barr and Mr. MacPherson on their exciting new roles.

Kindly find more information below:

http://www.ihgplc.com/index.asp?PageID=116&NewsID=2906

UK-Sino trade and investment grows strongly in 2012

 

 

The Global Times has recently highlighted the strong growth in trade and economic ties between the UK and China in 2012.

Data released by the Chinese Embassy in Britain included the following highlights:

• Bilateral trade in goods between China and Britain reached US$63.1 billion in 2012, up 7.5% compared to a year earlier.

• China's exports to Britain increased 4.9% to US$46.3 billion in 2012.

• China's imports from Britain increased 15.5% to US$16.8 billion.

• Britain was the only country among China's major trade partners in the E.U. which reported positive  growth in trade with China in 2012.

• Chinese companies completed 10 investment, M&A deals in Britain in 2012, worth more than US$8  billion overall and exceeding the total value reported between 2009 and 2011.

• Britain's direct investment in China reached US$18.1 billion between January and November 2012, ranked second in the E.U. after Germany.

Please click here to read the full article by the Global Times.

STOP PRESS**British Airways announces new direct London-Chengdu-London Flight Route**STOP PRESS

[Image courtesy of www.ba.com]

Last week China Direct shared information regarding a new China transit visa policy aimed at business travellers.

We are delighted to announce today that CBI member British Airways has announced that it will be flying directly between London and Chengdu from 2013 - another tangible benefit to UK based companies and regular visitors to China.

For more information please refer to the following bilingual Press Release from British Airways.

Thank you.

Download BA Press Release LHR-CDU-LHR Announcement 20.12.12 ENG Download BA LHR-Chengdu-LHR Announcement 20.12.12 CH

 

Heathrow Airport announces 12.9% November growth in China passenger traffic

CBI member Heathrow Airport Limited recently announced that 5.4 million passengers passed through
Heathrow in November 2012, a record for the month and up 3.1% on November last year. Passenger numbers to China were up 12.9%.

Colin Matthews, Chief Executive for Heathrow, said, "Passenger figures to the BRIC economies continue to be strong, illustrating demand for routes to emerging markets. But there's more demand that the U.K. can't meet—because its only hub airport, Heathrow, is full.

Last month we launched our first response to the Government’s Airports Commission, which is looking into this lack of capacity. It concluded there are just three options for government—do nothing, expand Heathrow, or close Heathrow and open a new hub airport elsewhere."

Please click here to read the full press release by Heathrow Airport Limited.

British Airways - connecting China to the UK

 

[Image courtesy of www.ba.com]

CBI member marketing campaign aimed at China, one of the U.K.'s fastest growing tourism markets.

Ambassadors include the Chief Yeoman Warder of the Tower of London and the Managing Director of Liberty's.

The first phase of the multi-million pound campaign began with print and digital advertising featuring special fares from Shanghai and Beijing.

Tracy Dedman, British Airways' Regional General Manager, Greater China and the Philippines, said, "With our true British experts to showcase the best things to do and see in the U.K., British Airways is excited to welcome visitors from China to experience the very best of British architecture, culture, dining, and shopping."

"Our extensive network enables visitors to make convenient connections throughout the U.K., so customers can enjoy all that Britain has to offer."

Please click here to read the full press release by British Airways.

Taylor Wessing LLP invites CBI members to China Event in London 27.11.12

  

Dear CBI Members,

China Direct is back after a busy week supporting the visit of the CBI's President, Sir Roger Carr, to China.

For member companies based in the UK and interested in learning more about the China market China Direct is delighted to announce that new member Taylor Wessing LLP will be holding a Seminar and Drinks Reception on Tuesday 27th November at their offices on New Street Square, London.

"Taylor Wessing will be hosting a seminar looking at the opportunities and  issues foreign companies face when entering and conducting business in China.

The event will include both a seminar covering key topics affecting companies in this region, including an update on the current economic and legislative trend, followed by a drinks reception. "

For more information please visit:

http://www.taylorwessing.com/events/details/china-seminar-and-drinks-reception-2012-11-27.html

To register directly kindly contact:  events@taylorwessing.com