Topics
The “Hamburg Summit's” programme consists of expert panels and keynote speeches. The conference design invites the active participation of the audience in open discussions and fosters a vivid exchange among all participants.
China – Growth Unlimited?
China’s exceptional development has turned the country into a key global player. The economy has not only benefited from strong exports but also from more foreign direct investments than any other country in recent years. For these reasons, China’s economic challenges, such as securing sustainable growth - including as regards ecological and social aspects - and avoiding economic overheating, are no longer just domestic ones but apply to the global economy as a whole. Does China’s further integration into the global economy mean a growing vulnerability for global slowdowns? This panel will discuss China’s actions to strengthen its own future position and in the world economy. It will also focus on how other global players react on China’s growing dynamism.
Research & Development – How To Build An Innovative Society
China’s workforce is growing quickly; however, less than ten percent of local job candidates possess the skills required by companies with global operations. The human resource issue continues to be one of the bottlenecks to further development in the People’s Republic. It is also one that has international reach, given China’s focus on attracting foreign investment to fund research and development projects as the country strives to overcome the image of being the world’s workbench and aims to develop an innovative society. As stipulated by the Chinese government, companies should become the driving force of innovation. This panel will discuss China’s recent actions to improve the framework for an independent, innovative society as well as the obstacles faced by foreign companies interested in outsourcing their technology-intensive R&D to China and ways of overcoming them.
Eu-China Trade Relations – Opportunities For Trade Without Barriers?
With the Doha Round swaying between stalemate and regression, and the so-called ‘noodle bowl’ of numerous bilateral agreements in Asia in the making, the EU is concerned about being left behind. While Sino-European trade volumes continue to grow at double-digit rates, Europe continues to run an enormous trade deficit which may lead to new trade barriers appearing on both sides. This panel will discuss the prospects of and the recipe for mutually beneficial EU-China trade relations.
Giants On The Move – How Bric Countries Manage Growth
The so-called BRIC countries (Brazil, Russia, India and China) are home to 40 percent of the world’s population and contribute ten percent to the global GDP. Different political backgrounds and economic frameworks create diverse investment environments. This panel will discuss country-specific ways of managing growth as well as the different experiences of foreign investors.
Giants On The Move – How Bric Countries Manage Growth
China’s workforce is growing quickly; however, less than ten percent of local job candidates possess the skills required by companies with global operations. The human resource issue continues to be one of the bottlenecks to further development in the People’s Republic. It is also one that has international reach, given China’s focus on attracting foreign investment to fund research and development projects as the country strives to overcome the image of being the world’s workbench and aims to develop an innovative society. As stipulated by the Chinese government, companies should become the driving force of innovation. This panel will discuss China’s recent actions to improve the framework for an independent, innovative society as well as the obstacles faced by foreign companies interested in outsourcing their technology-intensive R&D to China and ways of overcoming them.
Banking And Financial Activities Between The Eu And China
In the course of China’s accession to the WTO in 2001, the country’s banking sector made important progress. That foreign banks were finally permitted to invest in Chinese banks, engage in retail RMB banking and expand their branch networks are just some of the major milestones that were achieved. But the reforms have not been a one-way-street with more and more Chinese companies being listed on European stock markets, Chinese banks investing abroad and, above all, Chinese consolidated funds increasingly investing in Europe. This panel will discuss the current and future developments following the opening of China’s banking sector as well as business opportunities for foreign banks operating in China.
Looking Ahead: China And The Process Of Asian Integration
China is the most impressive success story as regards economic development in the Asian region in recent years. But other nations are following suit – foremost India with its population of 1.1 billion and comparable economic growth rates. How will the EU and the US respond to these up-and-coming economic giants and a consolidated Japanese economy? This panel will discuss governmental and corporate strategies for meeting the challenges posed by the new constellation of economic powers in Asia.
Managing China’s Need For Energy And Natural Resources – A Global Perspective
China’s vibrant economic development is accompanied by a fast-growing demand for food, natural resources and energy. This leads to an increasing dependence on imports and the necessity to open up new sourcing opportunities. Decisions need to be made: Will land be mainly used for food production or the cultivation of biomass sources to generate energy? How will the ratio of renewable energies and nuclear power develop with respect to the energy demand? And which strategies will China take to secure reliable supplies of natural resources? This panel will also discuss the implications for the global economy.
Environment And Climate Protection – Hot Topic For The World Economy
The importance of climate and environmental protection for the world’s future is unquestionable. CO2 reduction is a must for all countries, whether developed or developing. Still, the need for and the right to economic development cannot be denied. However, where growth is generated at the expense of the environment, compensation must be paid and invested in environmental regeneration. The resulting impact on GDP increases the pressure on economies to effectively combine economic development and environmental sustainability. Ultimately, all nations need to aim for a so-called “green GDP”. This panel will discuss opportunities for combining economic and ecological standards and the associated cooperation options for companies.
Logistics – Getting It From A To B
Between 2001 and 2006, China’s logistics industry recorded an impressive average annual growth rate of 13 percent. Similar figures are expected in future, thanks to the country’s ongoing surge in foreign and domestic trade. However, the sector still faces a number of major challenges and contradictions, such as low service levels and limited use of modern information technology, a lack of regulation in some areas and excessive regulation in others, an imbalance between poor hinterland transport infrastructure and state-of-the-art sea ports. Given the strategic importance of the logistics sector to the Chinese economy, tackling these challenges would not only help the sector itself but would also help ensure that China’s positioning in the global supply chain is characterised by cost efficient and timely delivery. Apart from these issues, this panel will also discuss opportunities for foreign investors in all parts of the Chinese logistics sector.
