Thursday, May 14, 2009

China Announces New Rules on Outbound Investment

(Source: China Daily) The Chinese Ministry of Commerce issued regulations of overseas investment in a bid to encourage Chinese companies to be more ambitious on "going international" and improve their compliance with laws of host countries and their performance on corporate social responsibility.

According to the rules, the Ministry of Commerce will only review applications for overseas investment at or above 100 million USD or investment in particular countries, including those without diplomatic relationship with China and other countries on a list to be issued. Investment involving more than one country or region or investment with special purposes are also subject to the approval of the Ministry of Commerce.

Based on the number of approved applications in 2008, it is estimated that 85 percent of the application will be tackled by local commerce administrations at the provincial level, said Yao Jian, spokesman of the Ministry, today at the press conference.

Local enterprises have to apply for approval of provincial commerce offices for their projects at a minimum investment of 10 million USD but less than 100 USD, or projects in energy and mineral resources, or projects to absorb investment in China.

For a project which does not require approval of the Ministry or its provincial offices, only an application form is required and a certificate will be granted within three days. "This will be the case for most investment projects," said Yao.

Enterprises will be responsible for their feasibility studies. Commerce authorities will only consider major issues that may affect the bilateral relations, the national economic security, the international obligations or fair competition.

The rules require that commerce authorities support the overseas investment by offering information services and promoting bilateral or multilateral communication and negotiations with foreign governments. Business and commerce offices of China's foreign embassies around the world are also supposed to offer suggestion on the projects.

The regulation also urges Chinese companies to fully abide by laws and regulations of the host countries and fulfill social responsibilities when expanding their business on the international markets.

Yao thinks Chinese companies still need to improve their competence in management and adaptation to local cultures. They also need to make more efforts on market research and attracting more talents who understand operation in an international environment.

More overseas investment will be conducive to balancing China's international payment in the context of China's massive trade surplus, said Yao. He released that more business delegations would be sent this year to China's major trading partners to seek for tech cooperation and mutual investment opportunities. "They are not only for exports or imports", he said.

A Chinese delegation including 20-plus enterprises from industries of chemicals, pharmaceutical, environmental protection, automobile, textiles, etc. is in Europe for investment talks.

China made more than 52.1 billion USD foreign investment in 2008, soaring 96.7 percent over that in 2007. And the revenue from contracted projects in foreign markets reached 56.6 billion USD, up by 39 percent year on year. New contract in the first two months of this year valued 23.7 billion USD, surging 68 percent despite of the global economic downturn.

For more info, log on http://www.midwestUSAChina.com

Sunday, May 10, 2009

EB-5 Regional Centers Blog Launched

ABG has launched a new web blog "EB-5 Regional Centers: News and Events" at http://eb5news.blogspot.com/

Friday, May 8, 2009

ABG Hosts Meeting for USA EB-5 Regional Center Executives


The China Representative Office of Artisan Business Group hosted a meeting at Westin Hotel Guangzhou yesterday for a group of California based EB-5 Regional Center executives. Ms. Melody Chen and Ms. Sophie Wong made the arrangements for the Chinese client to meet with the EB-5 regional center principals who are on their tour in China.

ABG China staff are highly experienced in working with Chinese clients who are interested in EB-5 investment projects in the U.S., for more details on our EB-5 Regional Center services, please log on http://www.midwestUSAChina.com/eb5.htm

Monday, May 4, 2009

Introducing Ms. Sophie Wong, Our Managing Partner in China


Artisan Business Group (ABG) has been developing a large business and government network over the years and we have formed a close partnership and business association with Hong Kong based Eastone International Business Co. Ltd., that is headed by Sophie Wong and Melody Chen. We’re excited to have their professional expertise, combined skills and positive energies. You may get a chance to meet or hear from them in coming years, so we want to take this opportunity to introduce them.

Sophie Wong, Managing Partner & Director of Business Development

Sophie brings over 20 years of sales management and business development experience to Artisan Business Group. She is an entrepreneurial sales professional with a passion for marketing. Sophie brings us a proven track record of success in generating new business, growing client relationships and leading marketing teams in strategy and concept development. She has worked with many types of clients and executives in various sectors throughout China and Hong Kong, and the U.S.

Sophie is graduated from Guizhou University in 1986 and she speaks fluent English, Mandarin and Cantonese. She travels frequently from Hong Kong to China. She is based in Shenzhen, Guangdong Province and Hong Kong.

For more info about doing business with China, please contact us at http://www.midwestUSAChina.com.

Introducing Ms. Melody Chen, Our Managing Partner in China


Melody is a dynamic public relations expert who has worked in various sectors and industries, including film production, manufacturing and management consulting. As a successful PR manager, she has demonstrated a passion for social networking and business growth issues and helping others businesses achieve a wide range of success in the marketplace.

Melody is based in Guangzhou, Guangdong, one of the largest cities in Southern China. She is graduated from Guizhou University in 1986. Melody speaks Mandarin, Cantonese.
Melody loves dancing and music. Visit us at http://www.midwestUSAChina.com


Sunday, May 3, 2009

Artisan Business Group China Office Offers Field Services to EB-5 Regional Centers that Are Marketing Projects in China

For EB-5 Regional Centers that are Developing Market Growth in China

You will learn effective tactics and strategies of attracting EB-5 investors in Greater China. We will help you enter and boost in China market.

· Translating and preparing your promotional materials in Chinese language that can be read and understood by residents in the People’s Republic of China

· Helping you understand Chinese regulations and key market trends

· Analyzing Chinese investor profiling

· Assisting you in establishing relationship with immigration agents in China

· Reviewing and monitoring Chinese immigration services agencies in China

· Teaching you to avoid and deal with false information and misrepresentation

· Assisting your customers in understanding EB-5 program and application process

· Implement marketing and sales strategies

Retainer Fees may vary depending on complexity of project and time involved; On-site workshop and executive briefings are available at your office. Travel requires additional charges.

Our China Field Support Services (provided by our associates in China)

· Distributing EB-5 project information and company brochures to Chinese immigration consulting firms around the country

· Communicating with Chinese immigration consulting firms on your behalf

· Hosting mini-seminars and project introduction sessions around the country

· Verifying and evaluating the performance of your Chinese partners (Mystery Shopper service)

· Offering Virtual Office services – we act as your China liaison and support staff

· Providing travel assistance and meeting arrangements for EB-5 RC executives

· Following up business leads

· Offering customer support services

· Conducting advertising and marketing campaign through Chinese media

· Providing business translation services

Retainer Fees may vary depending on complexity of project and time involved; travel expenses are not included.

Contact us at http://www.midwestUSAChina.com

Dr. Bowman Talks about His Trip to China

Dr. Bowman, President of Central Illinois Log Home Sales, Inc. along with Mr. Brian Su, and another log home manufacturer went on a trip to explore market opportunities in Shanghai and Jiangsu Province, China. For more information on doing business with China, please log on our website: http://www.midwestUSAChina.com.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MuEOBVtzwac

Saturday, May 2, 2009

New and Updated Active EB-5 Regional Centers List Available Now

If you are planning to apply for a federally designated EB-5 regional center, and would like to learn if there's one EB-5 Regional Center near your area, now you can find out. We have recently compiled the latest list of active and new EB-5 Regional Centers throughout the U.S. and included them in our PowerPoint presentation, please contact us at http://www.midwestUSAChina.com