Dear Working Group Member,

The European Chamber is pleased to invite you to an exploratory meeting for those members interested in the water industry in China. It will be held on Thursday, 21 June, 2pm-4pm, at the European Chamber Beijing office.

China and the European Union have agreed to establish a platform for dialogue, joint research and private sector cooperation on better management of water resources. In March this year, China’s Ministry of Water Resources and the European Union signed a joint statement to establish the China-Europe Water Platform (CEWP). This statement, signed at the 6^th World Water Forum in Marseilles, France, recognises that China and Europe face similar challenges in managing water resources, which are expected to become increasingly strained due to socio-economic development and climate change. The Platform is led jointly by the Chinese Ministry of Water Resources and Denmark and Portugal on behalf of the European Union. CEWP’s establishment comes at the close of the EU-China River Basin Management Programme, a five-year bilateral cooperation programme, in which officials and experts have shared their experience in water management.

With this increased uptake of EU-China political support in the water industry, the European Chamber of Commerce is organising an exploratory meeting to discuss the potential establishment of a Water Working Group. This Working Group will focus on the policies and regulations faced by European Business in China in the water sector, as well, it will work closely with the CEWP to assist in providing opportunities for European and Chinese private sector to undertake business development.

We are pleased to invite Mr. Henrik Dissing of the CEWP secretariat to introduce the initiative and discuss how business can become engaged. We will also discuss the market environment and the barriers that European companies face when operating in China.

Draft Agenda

1)      Introduction to the China EU Water Platform, Henrik Dissing, CEWP Secretariat

2)      Roundtable discussion of the Water industry in China

3)      Discussion on the potential establishment of a water working group

If you would like to join the meeting, please register with Mr. Sam Passafiume at spassafiume@europeanchamber.com.cn by COB June 20^th.

Downloads

Contact