Focus on Success

A lot of people out there are asking themselves “Where do we go from here?” when considering the upheavals in our financial markets and beyond. Yes, it is time to take stock of a situation brought about by the greed of many in the world’s financial institutions and to make sure that proper governance and risk management structures are put in place and adhered to. In this edition we look at Governance, Risk & Compliance issues, something that should be at the top of every flagpole. It is time for Europe’s governments and central banks to focus on solutions, but this time we need to be careful about who is left in charge of the till.

It is also the time to focus on the undoubted success in attracting foreign direct investment being realised by many countries in Europe. In this issue we begin a two part feature on North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany’s No.1 inward investment destination and leading economic region. NRW.Invest answers questions sent in by our readers.

Around Europe we visit Malta, where FDI has been flooding in since the adoption of the Euro. It probably hasn’t done any harm that this tiny island has been described as the Mediterranean’s most perfect climate. Juhan Parts, Estonian  Economic Affairs and Communications Minister tells us why Estonia is the hottest place in the Baltics.

Other highlights in our autumn edition include articles on Authorised Economic Operator status from the World Customs Organisation and the latest in Transfer Pricing from the OECD. Finally, we lift the lid on Brussels’ renaissance of chic hotels, bars, and architecture.  After letting Antwerp take the credit for Belgium’s creativity, the capital is now after a piece of the action. 

M Ansner

METP invites European managers to become China experts

Mid- to long-term lack of professionals with China expertise anticipated

Joint EU-China scheme offers 10-month training programme in China  Application period for 2009  has started

The double-digit growth rates the Chinese economy has shown in the past years have brought about a strong demand for professionals and managers that currently cannot be met. According to a survey published recently by the human resources consultancy Hewitt Associates, 55 per cent of corporations invested in China plan to hire new staff in 2008. The EU-China Managers Exchange and Training Programme (METP), inanced by the European Comission and China, aims to meet this rising demand by offering an unmatched high-level training scheme. The programme aims at EU managers and professionals interested in gaining China expertise as well as Chinese managers with an ambition to train in management in Europe. The application period for METP’s 2009 programme has started this month.

For EU-based companies and especially SMEs, METP offers the possibility to train their employees to become qualified experts for the Chinese market. Ideally, these experts will utilise their newly acquired skills and contacts needed to conduct business with China.  Longterm objective of METP is to enhance and to sustainably improve the EU’s relationship with China through exchange and economic cooperation. Stefan Hell, Team Leader in Beijing: “Despite the strong coverage China has received through the Beijing Olympics, the country and its business culture remains unknown to most European managers. To be successful in China, one needs a profound knowledge of economy, culture and business ethics. And this is what METP offers applicants. At the same time the programme functions as a platform where Europeans and Chinese meet and build long-term relationships – the basic foundation for successful business in China.”

Besides the organisation of the whole stay, the EU will cover all tuition fees. METP will provide participants with a monthly living allowance (about 1.000 Euros).All graduates receive an official diploma signed by the EU Ambassador to China. METP is a four-year initiative of the European Commission and the Chinese Government and is divided into four intakes, each lasting ten months.

Intake starts now
Application deadline for intake 4 is January 4th, 2009. Applicants should have no or only very limited knowledge of Chinese language, should be between 26 and 40 years of age and must have a minimum of five years work experience. In addition to credible academic qualifications the candidates have to present a compelling business plan for their stay in China.

Applicants who convince the European and Chinese selection jury of the feasibility of their business plan will obtain an invitation to a personal interview and assessment centre in Brussels or Beijing in 2009. 

For further information about application modalities, download instructions for the
application dossier and for general information about METP visit www.metp.net.cn or
contact the METP hotline at +49 69 15402 638.