European Union Chamber of Commerce in China
BJ+SH Maritime Transport
Upcoming Working Group Meeting
Friday, 22 February 2013, 2pm-4pm
European Chamber Shanghai (Shui On Plaza, Unit 2204, 333 Huai Hai Zhong Road)
European Chamber Beijing (Beijing Lufthansa Centre, Office C412, 50 Liang Ma Qiao Road)
Dear Working Group Member,
The European Chamber is pleased to invite you to the next Maritime Transport Working Group meeting. It will be held on Friday, 22 February, 2pm-4pm, at the European Chamber Shanghai and Beijing offices via videoconference.
Tentative Agenda
- Overview of International and Chinese Shipping Market, Mr. Zhang Yong Feng, Deputy Head, Shipping Research Office, Shanghai International Shipping Institute
- 2013-2014 Chair/Vice-Chair Elections
- discussion of the 2013-2014 Position Paper
- discussion on upcoming Working Group activities
At this meeting, Mr. Zhang Yong Feng, Deputy Head, Shipping Research Office, Shanghai International Shipping Institute, will provide an overview of current international and Chinese shipping market trends, based on the Institute’s research results in the soon-to-be published International Shipping Market Report 2013. Mr. Zhang will also share his insights on China’s shipping prosperity, following a report analysis by the Institute from Q4 last year.
Additionally, we will hold 2013-2014 Chair elections. The Maritime Transport Chair and Vice-Chairs play a crucial role in driving the Working Group, which includes a leadership role in the drafting of the Position Paper, communicating key messages to Chinese and European government authorities and steering Working Group meetings. The desired characteristics of a Chair and Vice-Chairs are a senior industry representative with relevant industry expertise and government contacts who has the time and willingness to support the Working Group. Previous participation in the Working Group is essential.
Should you be interested in putting your name forward for election, please, firstly, read the attached Working Group Chairs’ Code of Conduct and Roles and Responsibilities documents. To apply, please send a short biography and motivation letter, stating whether you intend to run for Chair or Vice-Chair, to Ms. Bettina Buck at bbuck@europeanchamber.com.cn by Tuesday, 19 February COB. For the Maritime Transport Working Group, it is possible to have at most one Chair and two Vice-Chairs.
In accordance with European Chamber internal guidelines, another email will be sent to the Working Group prior to the election, with the biographies and motivation letters of all candidates attached. Voting for the election, one vote per company, must be conducted in person at the Working Group meeting, after each candidate has had the 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 documents, following election.
We will also begin discussions on the 2013-2014 Position Paper. The Position Paper is the Chamber’s key lobbying document and is widely recognised by the Chinese and European governments, EU institutions, business associations and the media as the authoritative voice of EU business in China. It is used extensively for policy considerations, bilateral discussions, cooperation projects and background information. The value and importance of a well-written and well-represented Maritime Transport Position Paper cannot be overstated. Members are encouraged to review last year’s Position Paper and identify internally the key issues for this upcoming year. Keeping with the same structure as previous editions, members are requested to come to this meeting with recommendations that the Working Group should consider. Please find attached the Maritime Transport Position Paper 2012-2013.
As always, we welcome your suggestions for possible agenda topics and speakers for this and future meetings.
We encourage as many of our members as possible to attend to have their say in the leadership and representation of the Working Group in the year ahead. If you would like to attend this meeting, please register with Ms. Amanda Wu at ywu@europeanchamber.com.cn by Friday, 22 February 9am.
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For more information on the Maritime Transport Working Group or the European Chamber in general, please do not hesitate to contact Ms. Bettina Buck at bbuck@europeanchamber.com.cn in Shanghai or Ms. Anna Stalnacke at astalnacke@europeanchamber.com.cn in Beijing.