Frankfurt, 3 November

The Third Annual China Europe Business Meeting opens this week in Frankfurt, Germany on Wednesday 7 November, and runs through lunch on Friday 9 November. The meeting brings together some 300 CEOs from China and Europe, and the US, for discussions on the theme “Globalizing Chinese Firms”. This meeting is a Horasis leadership event, with co-hosts Deutsche Börse Group and the State of Hessen. Horasis (www.horasis.org) is a global visions community committed to enact visions for a sustainable future.

Co-chairs of the 2007 China Europe Business Meeting are Bertrand Collomb , Chairman, Lafarge (France), Jim Goodnight , CEO, SAS (USA); Ernesto Heinzelmann , CEO, Embraco (Brazil); Lawrence Ho , CEO, Melco (Hong Kong SAR); David Li, Chairman, Bank of East Asia (Hong Kong SAR); Cherie Liem , Managing Director, GT Enterprises (China), Lim Chee Onn , Chairman Keppel Corp (Singapore); Klaus-Peter Müller , Chairman, Commerzbank (Germany); Andrey Sharonov , Chairman, Troika Dialog Investment Company (Russia); Jean-Pascal Tricoire , CEO, Schneider Electric (France); Sundeep Waslekar , President, Strategic Foresight Group (India); Jerry Zhang , CEO, Neocomm Technolgies (China); and Levin Zhu , Chief Executive Officer, China International Capital Corporation (China).

“This year's theme, Globalizing Chinese Firms, reflects the increased emphasis of Chinese firms to build global and sustainable brands,” says Frank-Jürgen Richte r, President of Horasis and organizer of the event. “My hope in bringing together Chinese CEOs with their European and American counterparts is that we will create a close partnership between China and the world in order to further promote win-win economic relations, stimulate innovation and provide business opportunities. In short, to allow both China and the world to better face the challenges of globalization.”

Discussion topics for the meeting include the economic outlook, China's economic model, China's role in global financial markets, as well as specific focus on natural resources, financial services, investing in Europe, sustainable growth, human resources, global Chinese firms, financing growth, alternative investments, Chinese pharma, growing with BRICs, listing Chinese firms, legal landscape, foreign direct investments and education.

A highlight of the meeting will be the announcement of the 2007 Chinese Business Leaders of the Year, to celebrate outstanding entrepreneurs who have been building and leading successful Chinese global firms. The awards will be presented by KPMG, with Rolf Nonnenmacher , President Europe, KPMG, Germany .

Outstanding speakers include Jean-Claude Trichet , President, European Central Bank, Germany; Supachai Panitchpakdi , Secretary-General, UNCTAD, Switzerland; Bernd Pfaffenbach , State Secretary, Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology, Germany; David Huang , Commissioner, Beijing Municipal Commission of Development and Reform, China; and Vladimir Spindla , Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs & Equal Opportunities, European Commission, Belgium.

A specific focus on China's recent investments in Africa will feature, among others, Liu Jianjun , President, China-Africa Business Council, China; Jean-Marie Masse , Head, Global Financial Markets, IFC, USA; Firmino G Mucavele , Chief Executive NEPAD, South Africa.

Horasis is a global visions community committed to enact visions for a sustainable future. (http://www.horasis.org)