Ways to Enter the Chinese Market

When accessing the Chinese market, one of the most challenging questions for companies is: how to best enter the market. The workshop aims at informing on the options of entering the Chinese market both with (representative office, WFOE, JV) or without (direct-selling, agent, licensing) legal entity. The speakers will provide examples by showing failure and successful real case studies. In addition, they will highlight legal aspects to consider when doing in business in China. By joining the workshop, EU SMEs will receive practical recommendations and pointers as to which strategy is most suitable for one’s business.

Agenda:

9:30 – 9:50 Opening Remarks

Ilaria Perla, Training Coordinator at EU SME Centre

9:50 – 10:50 Doing Business in China

• Background
• Doing in business in China without local entity:
  • Direct-Selling: advantage and disadvantages
  • Agent: advantage and disadvantages
  • Licensing: advantage and disadvantages
• Case Studies
  • IP: TM – e-commerce
  • Merge of customs authority (baby presentation)
  • Labelling: F&B, textile, babies – Advertising Law
  • General tips: DD partners + contracts

Mireia Paulo, Director of the European-American Market and Overseas Investment Projects, A&Z Law Firm

10:50 -11:00 [short break]

11:00 – 11:40 Doing in business in China with local entity

• Representative Office
• Wholly foreign-owned enterprise (WFOE/WOFE),
• Joint-Venture

Michiel Vos, Manager Corporate Services at MS Advisory

Case Studies

• Cross-border e-commerce example: advantages and disadvantages without and with legal entity in China
• Negative list: many lists (FTZs, e-commerce, restricted areas = research)
  • E-commerce examples
  • Industries that required JV: education, automotive
  • Special licenses: ICP (filing + license)
• Retail Luxury example
  • From distributor to take overs
  • Off-line & online strategy: new retail
  • Employment: Chinese legal entity to directly hire, labour law, compliance contracts
  • Employment dispatch (leasing – renting): blur area – used often

11:40 – 12:00 Q&A and networking

Please note this workshop is only opened for the Croatian delegation.