Direct and Indirect Selling by FIE’s in the Chinese Market

Dear Members and Friends,

The China-Italy Camber of Commerce, The Benelux Chamber of Commerce in China, The French Chamber of Commerce in China, The Swedish Chamber of Commerce in China and Canada China Business Council, are delighted to invite you to a breakfast event on May 9:

Direct and Indirect Selling by FIE’s in the Chinese Market

China has been the “World Factory” in the past two decades but now this populous country is getting a new image of “Crazy Consumer” in spite of the worldwide economic slowdown.

Aware of the increasing consuming power of the Chinese market and increasing production costs in China foreign investors are no longer focused on the manufacturing of products in China but seek opportunities to sell products in the large Chinese consumer market. However, certain restrictions apply for foreign invested companies when selling their products. The seminar will address the legal and practical issues when selling in the Chinese market through different sales channels.

The seminar will cover the following subjects:

• Exclusive distribution/agency/wholesale/retail
• Direct selling (the incorporation and approval requirements for FIE’s and the prohibition of multi-layer marketing)
• Online selling trough registered websites (legal requirements: is a value added telecommunication license required?)
• Franchising

Also, the speakers will also briefly touch upon:
• Confidentiality of business secrets of foreign invested commercial enterprises (alternative confidentiality measures?)
• Non-compete clauses (do they work in practice?)

In addition, the seminar will provide the audience with a point of view from a Shanghai Chinese entrepreneur with respect to setting up and operating a franchise organization in the Chinese market.

Speakers:

• Jan Holthuis: founding partner of HIL

• Limeng Yang: legal adviser at HIL

HIL International Lawyers & Advisers was the first Dutch law firm to acquire a license to open a foreign law firm branch in China and is active in China since 1997. Jan and Limeng will address legalities in practice.

• Nick Ai: deputy General Manager of Shanghai East Franchise Management Co. Ltd.

• Mina Song

Shanghai East Franchise Management Co. Ltd has developed franchise networks in China for many years. Nick will share his experience in the practice and successful projects of local franchise business, which will enable the audience to gain a deeper insight into this industry.