BIZCHINA> Review & Analysis
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BIZCHINA> Review & Analysis
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Summer Davos to pinpoint opportunities
(China Daily)
Updated: 2009-09-09 07:53 CD: Another pillar of the summit's agenda is to address societal needs through innovation. What do you think of China's efforts in social development? Jurgens: That it's so high up in the policy agenda shows that the government is serious and looking to make improvements. It's important to consider the interconnections across different domains, e.g., social security and health. It will be a long process. If we look at the high-speed rail to Shanghai, everyone recognizes it will take several years to build. You have to build the pillars, lay the track, set trains on the track, putting everything in place. The same is the case for social security and healthcare reform. Policymakers are working on it but it won't be an easy, overnight solution. It requires continued focus and attention. Effective social development requires a solid economic foundation and business plays an important role in this domain.
Jurgens: My impression is that there is definitely a re-calibration taking place. The stimulus package helps provide a cushion so that companies, in terms of investment, can re-adapt. Entrepreneurs are creating new models to meet the interests and needs of Chinese consumers, looking out to consumers in Asia and other regions, and probably reducing their expectations for demand from Western consumers. Specific industries can be strongly affected but new companies rise up. Through the combination of focus on infrastructure, goods and services inside China, and improvement in social security system, individual Chinese can feel more confident about their future and spend some of their savings. Analysts at Nomura International have been looking into the role of the growing Chinese middle class. They found that when economies reach the stage of development where a large section of the population enters the middle class, we can observe dramatic changes in behavior and spending. This can go hand in hand with the improvement in the social security system to free up savings and cash in the system. CD: What would you say about Chinese entrepreneurs? Jurgens: Overall I'm extremely impressed with the enthusiasm and dynamism of the Chinese entrepreneurs. They are critical in helping China achieve its growth. Dalian provides a great platform for the entrepreneurs. They can come together, exchange ideas and learn from each other. They can continue to develop their businesses and contribute, as well as gain, important ideas. One of the reasons we invite technologists and scientists to join us is to help catalyze new ideas and new opportunities. Scientists benefit from interacting with entrepreneurs to say: How are we going to take advantage of this idea and bring benefit to society? CD: What's your suggestion for Chinese companies seeking to invest abroad as we saw quite a few failed attempts in the past years? Jurgens: It's a learning process. In many cases, companies buy distressed assets at a low price. To enter a new environment and manage a company that is already performing poorly can be quite challenging. This can be exacerbated by cultural differences. As we move ahead, we'll see more collaboration, as we recently saw between GM and FAW, in which the opportunities and risks are shared. There are other positive examples in doing business well. Tencent has been quite successful in adapting to customer needs and creating new business models distinct to China. Suntech in Wuxi has become a world leader in the production of solar cells through its focus on international markets. CD: How would you comment on China as the host for the Summer Davos? Jurgens: That we have even more participants coming than last year is an excellent statement that people really enjoy coming to China. We selected the cities (Dalian and Tianjin) because we are confident in their ability to conduct successful summits. They were chosen also because they represent the New Champion concept. Dalian has a rich international history, and it has a mix of traditional industries with new technologies, world-class infrastructure and strong leadership. Tianjin is the third pole of China's development after the pioneering steps taken in Shenzhen and Shanghai. We will definitely come to China for the next Summer Davos. (For more biz stories, please visit Industries)
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