Monday, October 29, 2007
ABG Signs Agreement with Gold Leaf Mountain Co.
Artisan Business Group signed a business agreement with Gold Leaf Mountain Trade Development Co. (China). The companies will cooperate in developing new international trade market in Guizhou Province, China. GLM is a privately owned international trading company in China.
Sunday, October 28, 2007
Travel Tip: Electrical Outlet in China
If you are planning on using a foreign electrical device in China you may need a plug-in adapter and a voltage converter.
Electrical current in China is 220V and 50Hz AC. To choose the proper voltage converter first check the labeling of your electrical device(s) to find out the voltage and wattage. You need a voltage converter that can handle a higher or equal wattage than that of the device that it is to be used with. You should also bring your surge protector in order to safeguard sensitive and expensive items such as laptops against power surges.
China has different shaped plug-in connections for power cords. There are two basic kinds, one is a three-headed flat and diagonally positioned connection and a two pin parallel connection. You can bring an adapter set with you or buy one in an electronics store in China.
Electrical current in China is 220V and 50Hz AC. To choose the proper voltage converter first check the labeling of your electrical device(s) to find out the voltage and wattage. You need a voltage converter that can handle a higher or equal wattage than that of the device that it is to be used with. You should also bring your surge protector in order to safeguard sensitive and expensive items such as laptops against power surges.
China has different shaped plug-in connections for power cords. There are two basic kinds, one is a three-headed flat and diagonally positioned connection and a two pin parallel connection. You can bring an adapter set with you or buy one in an electronics store in China.
Saturday, October 27, 2007
China May Curb Steel Export
China may come up with more restrictions to curb steel exports, including imposing licenses to export companies, restricting steel projects in the processing sector, a senior official with the country's top economic planner said recently.
Restricting steel export will still be the tendency and China would reduce its steel production to avoid overcapacity, said Hu Chunli, a senior official with China's National Development and Reform Commission.
China has already taken six measures to discourage steel export and export rebates for many steel products had been lowered to zero while tariff for some steel products also reached 15 percent.
According to the latest statistics released by China Customs, the country's steel products exports stood at 5.38 million tons in Aug., down 9.4 percent over last month.
However, in the first eight months, China's steel and steel billets exports still jumped by 83.8 percent and 10.9 percent to 45.08 million tons and 5.61 million tons.
Strong demand in the international market, high profit of exporting and weak influence of curbing policies are the main reasons for the increasing exports.
Restricting steel export will still be the tendency and China would reduce its steel production to avoid overcapacity, said Hu Chunli, a senior official with China's National Development and Reform Commission.
China has already taken six measures to discourage steel export and export rebates for many steel products had been lowered to zero while tariff for some steel products also reached 15 percent.
According to the latest statistics released by China Customs, the country's steel products exports stood at 5.38 million tons in Aug., down 9.4 percent over last month.
However, in the first eight months, China's steel and steel billets exports still jumped by 83.8 percent and 10.9 percent to 45.08 million tons and 5.61 million tons.
Strong demand in the international market, high profit of exporting and weak influence of curbing policies are the main reasons for the increasing exports.
Friday, October 26, 2007
Tips on Naming Your Company in Chinese
A good Chinese company name is not only a simple transliteration of your English name but should also convey a meaning with positive connotations in Chinese culture. Do not underestimate the importance of the Chinese name for the company or product, as with any other country, in China consumers will not be attracted by a brand with a poorly devised name.
When considering the Chinese name for your company, three elements should be addressed: the pronunciation, the characters themselves and the meaning of the words. Once you have the right Chinese name, it is essential that you immediately apply for the trademark in China.
When considering the Chinese name for your company, three elements should be addressed: the pronunciation, the characters themselves and the meaning of the words. Once you have the right Chinese name, it is essential that you immediately apply for the trademark in China.
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
China Opens Defense Industry to Private Businesses
China's Commission of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense issued a circular on Monday granting private businesses access to the military industry.
Private businesses will be allowed to invest in military infrastructure construction, conduct scientific research for national defense projects and weaponry production, participate in the regrouping of military firms and cooperate with military firms to develop technology for military and civilian use.
The move aims to facilitate a better use of government outlay for national defense and take advantage of private firms' financial and technological resources, said the circular.
To enter the military industry, private enterprises will have to acquire security, quality and production safety certification.
China has been gradually removing the long-standing monopoly of state capital on its military industry since 2005 when private firms were allowed to produce unimportant military products.
Private businesses will be allowed to invest in military infrastructure construction, conduct scientific research for national defense projects and weaponry production, participate in the regrouping of military firms and cooperate with military firms to develop technology for military and civilian use.
The move aims to facilitate a better use of government outlay for national defense and take advantage of private firms' financial and technological resources, said the circular.
To enter the military industry, private enterprises will have to acquire security, quality and production safety certification.
China has been gradually removing the long-standing monopoly of state capital on its military industry since 2005 when private firms were allowed to produce unimportant military products.
Sunday, October 21, 2007
Working in China
Work- related qualifications are the major issue in the inner-company selection process of employees chosen to work in China. Large Groups such as VW or Siemens, which have a long-year experience in China even send their employees for a short visit to China to allow them get a first impression of the country. As a consequence of that the future "Expat" will be prepared for his stay in intensive lectures and seminars.
Small and medium-sized companies do not take such measures into account due to the time and cost associated with them. Instead, they attempt to make up for it by creating daily workshops for their employees, which unfortunately do not measure up to par. Regardless of whether a large corporation or medium-sized firm, the Chinese-specific knowledge is often neglected; often one will find that managers lack basic knowledge of Chinese economy and legal system, as well as Chinese negotiating techniques.
Over 40% of all Expats return sooner than planned. In particular those who intend to stay in China for a longer period of time should consider adequate preparation which will save time and money in the end.
* Preparation of cultural differences (behavior, communication, problem solving)
* Preparation for everyday life in China
* Specific china related knowledge (law, economy, negotiation tactics)
* Organization of the communication with the parent company
* Dealing with administrative tasks (visa for PRC, flight, hotel, apartment etc.)
* Organizational outline of the stay (private and business related)
* Reintegration into the parent company after a longer stay abroad
Small and medium-sized companies do not take such measures into account due to the time and cost associated with them. Instead, they attempt to make up for it by creating daily workshops for their employees, which unfortunately do not measure up to par. Regardless of whether a large corporation or medium-sized firm, the Chinese-specific knowledge is often neglected; often one will find that managers lack basic knowledge of Chinese economy and legal system, as well as Chinese negotiating techniques.
Over 40% of all Expats return sooner than planned. In particular those who intend to stay in China for a longer period of time should consider adequate preparation which will save time and money in the end.
* Preparation of cultural differences (behavior, communication, problem solving)
* Preparation for everyday life in China
* Specific china related knowledge (law, economy, negotiation tactics)
* Organization of the communication with the parent company
* Dealing with administrative tasks (visa for PRC, flight, hotel, apartment etc.)
* Organizational outline of the stay (private and business related)
* Reintegration into the parent company after a longer stay abroad
Saturday, October 20, 2007
Establishing a Representative Office in China
Before a foreign company is allowed to establish a representative office in China the relevant authorities will have to approve the request and the registration of the office has to be completed.
Approval: Relevant Authorities
The request for approval has to be made with different authorities depending on the type of company one wants to establish.
Some examples are:
* Company concerning trade, commerce and manufacturing -> Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation (MOFTEC)
* Company concerning finance or insurance -> People's Bank of China
* Company concerning maritime transportation -> Ministry of Communications
* Company concerning air transportation -> China Administration of Civil Aviation
* Company concerning post and telecommunication -> Ministry of Information
* Company concerning travel and tourism -> Tourist Bureau of the People's Republic of China
* Company concerning advertising -> State Administration for Industry and Commerce
For a company of another trade than the ones mentioned above, the application should be filed with the governmental authority in charge of that specific industry. It is important to remember that this request cannot be made by the foreign company itself. It will have to appoint a local sponsor who will then file the request on behalf of the foreign company.
Approval: Necessary Documents
When submitting the request for approval to the relevant authorities certain documents have to be attached. These differ depending on who the approval authority is but they usually consist of the following:
* Application form for the establishment of a RO. This is a standard form issued by the approval authority which asks for basic information about the foreign company establishing the RO, as well as information about the RO itself
* - Application letter for the establishment of a RO. This letter should contain the following information:
1. An introduction to the foreign company and its business activities in China
2. The name, address, purpose, duration as well as business scope of the RO (It is very important that the business scope is filled in correctly because it will be stated in the Registration Certificate for the Representative Office. And a RO can only engage in business activities that are within the business scope as set forth in the Registration Certificate)
3. The name of the chief representative
4. A list of the documents being submitted
* Application form for the employees of a RO. This form should contain the basic information of the employees like their names, nationalities, contact details and positions in the RO
* The appointment letter for the chief representative. This letter must be printed on the letterhead paper of the company and has to be signed by an authorized representative of the company. It should clearly state the name of the person who will become chief representative of the RO
* Resumes (These have to be signed by the person in question), photocopies of the passports as well as passport size photos of all the representatives, including the chief representative
* Bank creditworthiness letter. This letter, printed on the letterhead paper of the bank, has to be issued by a foreign bank in the area where the foreign company is located and should be signed by authorized officials of the bank. It is needed to show that the applicant has financial and credit standing. The letter should contain the following information:
1. The name of the foreign company
2. The normal deposit amount of the average daily balance for a period of six months
3. A short review of the creditworthiness of the foreign company
* A signed office lease agreement or a letter of intent of lease (It is important to remember that a landlord of an office or a building needs a special permission to rent commercial property to foreigners. So always make sure that he has that permission. You need an official letter from your landlord stating either that he has permission to rent commercial property to foreigners or that the building in which the property is located is itself certified by the local public security bureau as suitable for ROs registrations, a so-called grade A building)
* * Statutory documents of the parent company issued by authorities of the country of origin, e.g. a certificate of incorporation or a business license
When any of the above mentioned documents are in a language other than Chinese, a Chinese translation should be provided for. In some cases it might even be necessary to have the above mentioned documents notarized by a foreign notary and then legalized by the consulate of the People's Republic of China in that foreign country.
Approval: Relevant Authorities
The request for approval has to be made with different authorities depending on the type of company one wants to establish.
Some examples are:
* Company concerning trade, commerce and manufacturing -> Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation (MOFTEC)
* Company concerning finance or insurance -> People's Bank of China
* Company concerning maritime transportation -> Ministry of Communications
* Company concerning air transportation -> China Administration of Civil Aviation
* Company concerning post and telecommunication -> Ministry of Information
* Company concerning travel and tourism -> Tourist Bureau of the People's Republic of China
* Company concerning advertising -> State Administration for Industry and Commerce
For a company of another trade than the ones mentioned above, the application should be filed with the governmental authority in charge of that specific industry. It is important to remember that this request cannot be made by the foreign company itself. It will have to appoint a local sponsor who will then file the request on behalf of the foreign company.
Approval: Necessary Documents
When submitting the request for approval to the relevant authorities certain documents have to be attached. These differ depending on who the approval authority is but they usually consist of the following:
* Application form for the establishment of a RO. This is a standard form issued by the approval authority which asks for basic information about the foreign company establishing the RO, as well as information about the RO itself
* - Application letter for the establishment of a RO. This letter should contain the following information:
1. An introduction to the foreign company and its business activities in China
2. The name, address, purpose, duration as well as business scope of the RO (It is very important that the business scope is filled in correctly because it will be stated in the Registration Certificate for the Representative Office. And a RO can only engage in business activities that are within the business scope as set forth in the Registration Certificate)
3. The name of the chief representative
4. A list of the documents being submitted
* Application form for the employees of a RO. This form should contain the basic information of the employees like their names, nationalities, contact details and positions in the RO
* The appointment letter for the chief representative. This letter must be printed on the letterhead paper of the company and has to be signed by an authorized representative of the company. It should clearly state the name of the person who will become chief representative of the RO
* Resumes (These have to be signed by the person in question), photocopies of the passports as well as passport size photos of all the representatives, including the chief representative
* Bank creditworthiness letter. This letter, printed on the letterhead paper of the bank, has to be issued by a foreign bank in the area where the foreign company is located and should be signed by authorized officials of the bank. It is needed to show that the applicant has financial and credit standing. The letter should contain the following information:
1. The name of the foreign company
2. The normal deposit amount of the average daily balance for a period of six months
3. A short review of the creditworthiness of the foreign company
* A signed office lease agreement or a letter of intent of lease (It is important to remember that a landlord of an office or a building needs a special permission to rent commercial property to foreigners. So always make sure that he has that permission. You need an official letter from your landlord stating either that he has permission to rent commercial property to foreigners or that the building in which the property is located is itself certified by the local public security bureau as suitable for ROs registrations, a so-called grade A building)
* * Statutory documents of the parent company issued by authorities of the country of origin, e.g. a certificate of incorporation or a business license
When any of the above mentioned documents are in a language other than Chinese, a Chinese translation should be provided for. In some cases it might even be necessary to have the above mentioned documents notarized by a foreign notary and then legalized by the consulate of the People's Republic of China in that foreign country.
Quick Info on China
Need quick information? Our CIAs (China Intelligence Associates) have compiled following informational fact sheets (PDF format). Simply click the link to order a copy, your order is usually sent via email in 2 or 3 business days. Major credit cards are accepted via PayPal (one time processing fee is charged). Visit http://www.midwestUSAChina.com/contact_us.htm
Thursday, October 18, 2007
Selling to Chinese Market
China is becoming the consumer society that everyone thought it would be. It is now estimated that China has well over $1 trillion in personal savings, compared to about $158 billion in the United States, and that savings has quadrupled in the last SIX years.
When China puts together a good consumer credit and finance program complete with rules, regulations, and protections for creditors, that market will explode. Although Chinese consumers have been used to buying whatever was available, they do have their own tastes and are now demanding products that cater to those tastes. Everything in China is changing. The country is moving in favor of free trade and open competition.
Many US companies often ask one question: Does China need US products? Depending upon your products, our team can provide in depth customized, individualized market research report on China market, which may answer questions such as the overall marketability of your product or service, market trends and size, standard distribution and promotion practices, market entry requirements, regulations, product standards and registration, key competitors, and potential agents, distributors, or strategic partners.
If you want to know more about whether your products are needed in China, please contact Brian Su.
When China puts together a good consumer credit and finance program complete with rules, regulations, and protections for creditors, that market will explode. Although Chinese consumers have been used to buying whatever was available, they do have their own tastes and are now demanding products that cater to those tastes. Everything in China is changing. The country is moving in favor of free trade and open competition.
Many US companies often ask one question: Does China need US products? Depending upon your products, our team can provide in depth customized, individualized market research report on China market, which may answer questions such as the overall marketability of your product or service, market trends and size, standard distribution and promotion practices, market entry requirements, regulations, product standards and registration, key competitors, and potential agents, distributors, or strategic partners.
If you want to know more about whether your products are needed in China, please contact Brian Su.
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
Meeting with Armbruster Manufacturing Company
Mr. Brian Su held a business meeting with Mr. Hellar Armbruster, VP of Armbruster Manufacturing Company (AMC). Armbruster is the oldest tent maker in the US and exports products worldwide. Mr. Armburster expressed his appreciation for Mr. Su's strong support to AMC's marketing efforts in a competitive global marketplace.
Sunday, October 14, 2007
Fun Flight over the Land of Lincoln
A client from China took intro-flight at McClelland Aviation Co. in Springfield, Illinois. Mr. Brian Su identified the local aviation firm for the client who is interested in taking a pilot training class in 2008.
Friday, October 5, 2007
Mr. Brian Su Held Meetings with Cessna Aircraft Company
On October 4 & 5, 2007, Mr. Brian Su, president of Artisan Business Group (ABG), visited the headquarters of Cessna Aircraft Company - the World's largest private jet manufacturer. Mr. Su assisted a client and his family from China in touring their recently acquired CJ-1 private jet. Mr. Su also visited the Cessna production lines after having meetings with VPs of the int'l sales division of Cessna Aircraft Company.
Wednesday, October 3, 2007
Artisan Signs New Partnership Agreement
In a move to expand our Internet presence, ABG is partnering with TrainingAndSeminars.com, the Internet's training and seminars search engine. The agreement between ABG and TrainingAndSeminars.com presents ABG with an entirely new stream of potential seminar attendees, while strengthening TrainingAndSeminars.com's Negotiations seminar offerings. Two firms will soon be jointly presenting China related seminars nationwide.
Tuesday, October 2, 2007
Artisan Delivers China Workshop to Corporate Offices
Artisan Business Group can present an in-house workshop to your company, focused for your specific needs. Our workshop can be held at your facility. As few as 5 people can participate, up to a maximum of 30. The workshop can be presented to specific departments, such as marketing, purchasing, or management. Contact us today for a list of China related workshops.
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