News releases
Tianjin, 24th August, 2016 – The European Chamber, in cooperation with Roland Berger, today released its annual Business Confidence Survey (BCS) 2016 in Tianjin. The survey finds that China’s economic slowdown continues to pose a significant challenge to both Chinese and European companies. However, European business is suffering more acutely from its effects due to an increasingly challenging business environment, coupled with a playing field that is perpetually tilted in favor of domestic enterprises.
The central government’s failure so far to deliver on promises that foreign-invested enterprises will enjoy a more open, competitive market has fostered mounting pessimism: a significant 41% of European companies are now re-evaluating their China operations and planning to cut costs, including through headcount reduction. Although 47% also report that they plan to expand their operations in China, this represents a thirty-nine point decrease from 2013, when an overwhelming 86% of European companies were intending to do so. However, a clear majority of European business have indicated that they would likely increase their investment in China in the event of market access barriers being removed.
In the Tianjin-specific section of the survey, members of the European Chamber’s Tianjin Chapter answered questions related to the August 2015 Tianjin Harbour explosion, the city’s infrastructure and the planned integration of Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei Province.
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| The European Chamber, in cooperation with Roland Berger, today released its annual Business Confidence Survey (BCS) 2016 in Tianjin. |
“The responses to the Tianjin-related questions show that our members trust in the long-term potential of Tianjin and particularly the Jing-Jin-Ji merger,” said Dr Christoph Schrempp, Chairman of the Tianjin Chapter. “Despite the on-the-ground challenges they continue to face they remain committed to the city. Among others, they have identified vocational education, the city’s public transportation system and the new free trade zone as areas that can be further improved to help Tianjin reach its full potential.”
“The responses to this year’s BCS from our Tianjin members are largely consistent with the information that we presented to the Tianjin Government earlier this year, when we released our first Tianjin Position Paper,” said Adam Dunnett, Secretary General of the European Chamber. “Despite the problems it faces, it is clear that European business still sees Tianjin as an important investment destination.”
About the European Union Chamber of Commerce in China
The European Union Chamber of Commerce in China (European Chamber) was founded in 2000 by 51 member companies that shared a goal of establishing a common voice for the various business sectors of the European Union and European businesses operating in China. It is a members-driven, non-profit, fee-based organization with a core structure of 25 working groups representing European business in China. The European Chamber is recognized by the European Commission and the Chinese authorities as the official voice of European business in China.
About Roland Berger
Roland Berger, founded in 1967, is one of the world's leading strategy consultancies. With 50 offices in 36 countries and over 2,400 employees, the company has successful operations in all major international markets. The strategy consultancy is an independent partnership exclusively owned by about 220 Partners. The Chinese market is a key pillar of Roland Berger Strategy Consultants' international expansion. Since its first project in China in 1983, the consultancy has grown rapidly: its five Greater China offices now have 360 consultants dedicated to working extensively with both leading Chinese and international companies.
