Call for Expert: Ways to Enter the Chinese Market Report

The EU SME Centre is looking for an expert to write an update of the report Ways to Enter the Chinese Market published in 2020. This report is designed to assist European SMEs looking to navigate the Chinese business environment and understand relevant legal regulations. The updated version shall provide practical, structured, and comprehensive insights tailored to EU businesses considering to enter the Chinese market.

Report content update

The updated report should equip European SMEs with the essential knowledge needed for a successful market entry in China. The suggested outline includes:

1. Preliminary remarks
1.1 Compliance
1.2 Protection of your intellectual property rights
1.3 Foreign exchange control
1.4 China, Hong Kong, and Pilot Free Trade Zones
2. Broad methods of market entry
3. Exporting
4. Licensing and franchising
5. Selling online
6. Investing directly – Wholly foreign-owned enterprises and joint ventures
7. Direct investment – Partnerships
8. Branches
9. Representative offices (“ROs”)
10. Pilot Free Trade Zones (“PFTZs”)
11. Using Hong Kong as an entry point
12. Recommendations regarding the best ways to enter the Chinese market
13. Potential risks of entering the market and mitigation strategies

Timeline

A first draft of the updated report must be submitted to the EU SME Centre by Friday 21 March 2025. The EU SME Centre will revert within two weeks with feedback and requests. The final version is expected to be published by 15 April 2025.

Following the publication of the report, a launch webinar will be organised by the EU SME Centre during which the expert(s) will introduce the content of the article. No logistics/organisational efforts will be needed from the expert(s).

Application Process

Interested applicants should email the EU SME Centre’s Business Advisor Weronika Gryglaszewska at weronika.gryglaszewska@eusmecentre.org.cn, including:

• A short proposal of the report, including a brief outline of the proposed updates to the publication (maximum 1 page);
• Previous experience;
• A quotation of workdays and fees required.

Each application will be evaluated based on the three bullet points above and the selection will be made on the basis of best quality-price ratio. After the evaluation, the EU SME Centre will revert to you regarding your proposal. 

Application deadline

Friday 28 February 2025.

About the EU SME Centre

The EU SME Centre (www.eusmecentre.org.cn) is an EU-funded initiative that provides a comprehensive range of hands-on support services to European SMEs, getting them ready to do business in China. Collaborating with external experts worldwide, the Centre converts valuable knowledge and experience into practical business tools and services easily accessible online. From first-line advice to in-depth technical solutions, we offer services through: 

• Knowledge Centre: Containing nearly 200 comprehensive market reports, guidelines and case studies available to download from our website.
• Advice Centre: Saving your time, money and providing reassurance that you have the right information to support your business decisions.
• Training Centre: Offering training programmes both face-to-face and online to plug the knowledge and skills gaps of SMEs entering the China market.
• SME Advocacy Platform: Providing a coherent, consistent and consolidated voice for European small businesses in China.