European Union Chamber of Commerce in China
Finance & Taxation Working Groups Meeting (Beijing & Shanghai)
Date: Wednesday, 7th March 2012. starting at 4:00pm.
Venue: European Chamber Beijing Office, Room C411A
北京市朝阳区亮马桥路 50 号北京燕莎中心写字楼 C411A 室
European Chamber Shanghai Office - Unit 2204, Shui On Plaza, 333 Huai Hai Zhong Road
上海市淮海中路333号瑞安广场2204室
Dear Finance & Taxation Working Group Member,
The European Chamber is pleased to invite you to the next Finance & Taxation Working Group meeting which will be held on Wednesday, March 7th starting at 16:00 at the European Chamber Beijing and Shanghai offices (see address above).
This meeting is scheduled in order to hold the elections for the Working Group Chairperson and Vice Chairpersons, to identify the key recommendations for the 2012/2013 Position Paper and other items on the agenda.
Tentative Agenda:
1. Chair / Vice Chair Election
2. Identifying the Key Recommendations for the 2012/2013 Finance & Taxation WG Position Paper
3. AOB
If you would like to attend this meeting, please register with Mr. Mike Yung at myung@europeanchamber.com.cn before COB 6th of March
Chair / Vice Chair Election
The Finance & Taxation 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.
According to European Chamber internal best practices intended to promote new strategies and approaches for the operation of the working groups, the European Chamber recommends that a Chairperson should not exceed three years in his/her role and highly encourages all members interested in taking a leading role to put their name forward for election. However, there is no maximum term duration for Working Group Chair and Vice Chair positions.
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. Mike Yung, by March 1st COB at myung@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 Finance & Taxation Working Group, it is possible to have at most one Chair and two Vice Chairs.
In accordance with European Chamber internal guidelines, the Business Manager 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.
Position Paper 2012/2013: Key Recommendations
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 Finance & Taxation Working Groups activities in the following year. The value and importance of a well written and well represented Finance & Taxation Position Paper cannot be overstated.
Ahead of this meeting, we ask that all members review last year’s paper internally and identify in their company what the key issues are for this year. Keeping with the same structure as last year, individual member companies are requested to come to this meeting with a clear recommendation that the group should consider.
Members are also strongly encouraged to suggest any recommendations ahead of this meeting, particularly if they cannot attend in person to Mr. Mike Yung at myung@europeanchamber.com.cn
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For more information on the Working Group or the Chamber in General, please don’t hesitate to contact Xavier Sans Powell in Beijing, xsanspowell@europeanchamber.com.cn or Tina Ran in Shanghai, tran@europeanchamber.com.cn