CS China recently developed a new initiative to help U.S. exporters to expand distribution in the China marketplace. In a recent interview, he outlined this new USDOC initiative.
Q: Mr. Allen, we understand that your office is opening new offices throughout China in partnership with the CCPIT. What is this new initiative?
A: The International Partnership Initiative (IPN) is a formal collaboration between the U.S. Department of Commerce and the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT) with a view toward enlarging U.S. exports of goods and services in regional markets throughout China. The two parties signed a MOU on July 11, 2005 to officially kick-off the effort.
The fourteen cities currently covered in the IPN are: Dalian, Chongqing, Hangzhou, Harbin, Kunming, Nanjing, Ningbo, Qingdao, Shenzhen, Tianjin, Wuhan, Xiamen, Xi’an and Zhuhai.
Q: You have mentioned the CCPIT and perhaps some of our readers do not know who they are. Who is the CCPIT?
A: The Chinese Council for the Promotion of International Trade is a large non governmental organization (NGO) that promotes China’s international trade and investment. At the same time, CCPIT is a membership organization with hundreds of industry and municipal/provincial chapters throughout China. CCPIT also offers trade show services, legal advice and other business services. While CCPIT is a membership organization, they have a very close relationship with all levels of the Chinese government. My understanding is that AmCham and CCPIT have enjoyed a close working relationship for many years. For more information, visit: http://www.ccpit.org/static_ccpit/en/about.jsp.
Q: What kind of services will be offered by the IPN?
A: The IPN initiative leverages the resources from local CCPIT offices and the U.S. & Foreign Commercial Service to enable U.S. companies to penetrate any of the major regional markets around China. In any of the fourteen cities, CCPIT offers U.S. companies a number of helpful services. For example, to help you to expand your distribution, our CCPIT partners would be willing to put together a custom-designed list of possible agents or distributors in their jurisdiction. They can set up appointments for you with potential buyers. They can also conduct market research on your behalf. Further, we are looking at our IPN partners to provide us with market leads and other information on major industrial or infrastructure projects in their areas.
Q: What benefits does this initiative provide to members of the American Chamber of Commerce?
A: The IPN can help you find distributors or agents in any of 14 cities in regional China. AmCham members should consider using it to build their business in some of the bustling cities of Central China: Ningbo, Nanjing, Wuhan, Xian or Hangzhou. The IPN can also help you to find a distributor in the North East or the South West Provinces. CCPIT has many local companies as its members, and the CCPIT has a broader network that includes most agents, distributors and trading companies in their region. In sum, the IPN is an inexpensive and reliable way to find partners to help you to expand sales into regions where you do not yet have distribution.
Q: Can U.S. companies receive the same quality service throughout these 14 cities?
A: Yes, CCPIT has formally adopted the same quality and privacy guidelines that are used by the Department of Commerce offices around the world. CS China will ensure that the IPN delivers high quality service by having Embassy or Consulate staff involved in each step of the service process. If one is not fully satisfied with the services provided by the IPN, we offer a 100 percent unconditional money-back guarantee.
Q: How can U.S. companies request the ATC services?
A: If any companies are interested in this ATC initiative program, please contact CS China at its five embassy and consulate posts. As for the South China market, CS Guangzhou can be reached at 020-86674011; fax at 020-86666409; or email at Lynda.jiang@mail.doc.gov .
Otherwise, to learn more about the IPN, please our IPN webpage.