European Union Chamber of Commerce in China
Automotive and Auto-Components Working Group (Beijing&Shanghai)
Working Group Meeting
Date: Friday 16th March, starting at 09:00 am
Venue: European Chamber Beijing & Shanghai Offices
European Chamber Beijing Office - C411A, Beijing Lufthansa Center, 50 Liangmaqiao Road, Chaoyang District
European Chamber Shanghai Office: 333 Huai Hai Middle Road, Unit 2204, Shui On Plaza (22nd floor).
Dear Working Group Member,
The European Chamber is pleased to invite you to the next meeting of the Automotive and Auto Components Working Groups. It will be held on Friday 16th March, starting at 09:00 am at the European Chamber office.
Apart from a presentation by Tom McGuckin of PricewaterhouseCooper, the meeting is also held to discuss the Position Paper 2012/2013, and to elect a Chair and two Vice-Chairs of the Automotive Working Group. Information on the nomination process can be found below. Last year’s Automotive WG Position Paper is attached for your reference.
Tentative Agenda:
1. Presentation by Mr. Tom McGuckin from Shanghai via video link
2. Election of Automotive WG Chair and Vice Chairs
3. Identifying the Key Recommendations for the 2012/2013 Automotive WG Position Paper
4. Miscellaneous
If you wish to attend this meeting, please register with Ms. Handan Xiao at hdxiao@europeanchamber.com.cn before 18:00 Thursday 15th March 2012.
1. Presentation by Tom McGuckin, PricewaterhouseCooper
Mr. Tom McGuckin is a partner in PricewaterhouseCoopers' global automotive practice and responsible for the Asia Pacific automotive market. The topic of his speech is "Balancing growth and navigating risk in China". As China is the fastest growing automotive market, companies definitely need to have a China growth strategy, but at what rate can they expand without running into a series of challenges? How does the regulatory environment impact their plans? The dynamics facing both international and domestic OEMs and suppliers are facing an evolving automotive landscape. Tom will share his thoughts and considerations in tackling the regulatory changes and mitigating some of these risks to stay competitive.
2. Election of 2012/2013 Chair and Vice-Chairs
The Automotive Working Group Chair and Vice Chairs play a crucial role in driving the Working Group. The responsibilities of Chairpersons include taking a leading role in the drafting of the Position Paper, communicating key messages to the Chinese and European governments and steering Working Group meetings. The required characteristics of a Chair and Vice Chair are a senior industry representative with relevant industry expertise and government contacts who has the time and willingness to support the group. Previous participation in the Working Group is essential.
Should you be interested in putting yourself forward for candidacy for election, please firstly read the attached document which outlines the roles and responsibilities of a Working Group Chairperson. To apply, each prospective candidate should submit a short bio and a motivation letter at least one week prior to the election to the Working Group Coordinator, Mr. Fredrik Uddenfeldt, by March 9 COB at fuddenfeldt@europeanchamber.com.cn . In the email, please clearly state whether you intend to run for the position of Chair or Vice Chair. Candidates running for the role of Chair, if not successfully elected, can opt to be included as a candidate for Vice Chair. For the Automotive Working Group, it is possible to have at most one Chair and two Vice Chairs.
In accordance with European Chamber internal guidelines, the Working Group Coordinator will send another email to the Working Group one week prior to the election with the bios and motivation letters of all candidates attached. Voting for the election must be conducted in person at the Working Group meeting (one vote per company) after each candidate has been given an opportunity to give a short speech on why they would like to run for election. The duration of the term for both Chairs and Vice Chairs is one year. All elected Chairpersons must sign the attached Code of Conduct following election.
3. Identifying Key Recommendations for Position Paper 2012/2013
The Position Paper is the Chamber’s key lobbying document and is widely recognized by the Chinese Government, European Commission, and the media as the authoritative voice of EU business in China.
The paper itself is used extensively for policy considerations, bilateral discussions, cooperation projects and background information for the media and nearly all of the Automotive Working Groups activities in the following year. The value and importance of a well written and well represented Automotive Position Paper cannot be overstated.
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For more information on the Working Group or the Chamber in General, please don’t hesitate to contact Fredrik Uddenfeldt, Working Group Coordinator, at fuddenfeldt@europeanchamber.com.cn