Seventy percent of the German business community expects to further
expand business over the coming years in China, according to a
survey conducted recently by the German Chamber of Commerce in
China (GCCC).
GCCC Chairman Jorg Wuttke said here Tuesday that the detailed
findings of the survey, "Barriers in Sino-German Trade" are
"optimistic," since more than 60 percent of all respondents believe
that after 2006, German companies operating in China will enjoy the
same business conditions that Chinese companies operating in
Germany currently have.
In
this first in-depth, nationwide survey by GCCC in China, many
Germany companies or representative offices mainly active in
manufacturing, trade and distribution were questioned, said
Wuttke.
The survey, prior to the upcoming accession of China to the World Trade Organization (WTO), also
highlights the present complicated business environment in China,
said Wuttke.
Although more than 80 percent of the respondents said they were
confident that they will profit from reduced Chinese customs duties
that were agreed upon in two to three years, 33.6 percent still
expect non-tariff-related trade barriers to increase after China's
WTO entry, according to the survey.
The survey shows that 68 percent of those questioned consider the
lack of transparency in China's market structure an obstacle to
business activities, and that over 80 percent think they don't get
the chance to know about official regulations, as some regulations
are not accessible in English.
GCCC sees its role as the platform of German industry in China, and
it is active as a liaison with the Chinese government, Wuttke
said.
"We have explicitly asked for recommendations on how to improve the
business climate in China, and we will communicate them to the
proper Chinese authorities," he said.
(People’s
Daily 10/17/2001)