SME Breakfast Roundtable: EU-China Policy Developments & Impacts on European SMEs in China

Since the lifting of pandemic-related restrictions in early 2023, the Chinese government has released a number of documents to promote foreign investment in the country. These include the State Council’s “Opinions on Further Optimizing the Business Environment for Foreign Investment and Increasing the Attraction of Foreign Investment” (24 Measures) released in August 2023, and the State Council’s “Action Plan to Solidly Promote High-level Opening-up and Vigorously Attract and Utilize Foreign Investment”, released in March 2024. That same month, the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) issued the “Regulations on Promoting and Regulating the Cross-border Data Flow”, easing the burdensome process of data transfer for foreign companies.

Although not specifically directed at SMEs, these documents target a few areas which are typical concerns of SMEs, such as access to finance, cross-border movement of capital and data, policy support and subsidies, anti-unfair competition, IP protection, residence permits for foreign staff. Some of these areas were also included in the 2024 Government Work Report.

To discuss the most recent updates and help SMEs to navigate the regulatory environment, the EU SME Centre is pleased to invite to a breakfast roundtable in Shanghai the SME members of its consortium partners in China, the European Union Chamber of Commerce in China and the China-Italy Chamber of Commerce. The breakfast roundtable will provide an overview of recent developments before opening the floor to an open discussion among the participants.

This event will take place offline in Shanghai and will be held under Chatham House rules.

About the speaker

Alessio Petino

Business Advisor, EU SME Centre

Alessio has worked for 8+ years on various EU-funded projects in China, mainly conducting policy and regulatory analysis for European companies looking to enter or already in the Chinese market. Key focus areas: market access regulations and barriers, investment attraction policies, standards & compliance – with particular focus on R&D, tech & innovation.

Alessio joined the EU SME Centre in October 2020. He coordinates reports, guidelines and technical assistance to European SMEs; he also delivers training about different market entry approaches and engagements with China, opportunities and risks, as well as do’s and don’ts.