1.Yantai is one of the cities first opening to the outside world and the economy has been developing very fast. Last year, Yantai was ranked as No. 1 among the 14 coastal cities in terms of economy developing speed. Would you please introduce to us something about that?
As one of the important cities in the economic circle around Bohai Bay and one of the center cities and an important part of Shandong Peninsula manufacturing base, the economic development speed of Yantai jumped from the former No. 7 to No. 1 among the first 14 cities of China opening to the outside world last year. The GDP of Yantai was 163.9 billion yuan, up 18.8% over 2003, which is 3.8% higher than the average of Shandong.
The fast development of economy has called attention to Yantai. In recent years, in order to speed up the development of the manufacturing base and to forge a strong manufacturing city, based on traditional projects and new industries, Yantai outlines four important pillars: Machinery Industry, Electronic IT Industry, Food Processing Industry and Gold Industry, and map out 10 main products categories around these four crucial industries. At present, there are around 2000 companies with annual sales over 5 million yuan among which, Changyu , Longda etc. altogether 5 are famous Chinese trademarks by China Administration of Commerce and Industry and Luhua , Weilong etc. altogether 60 are famous Shandong trademarks, all of which plus the 10000 foreign invested companies are driving major force for Yantai economy development.
2. Madam Li, it s the first time for you to visit Indonesia, please tell us your impression about our country. What result do you think the Investment and Trade Forum will achieve?
Indonesia is a country rich in natural resources with broad market prospects, esp. the hospitality of the people here has impressed me deeply. I d also like to convey my heartfelt thanks through media here to all those who have provided great support and assistance to Yantai Economic and Trade Mission. Yantai is a charming and buoyant city. I firmly believe that based on the complementary industries of both countries and good platform of economic and trade cooperation; we can further expand our bilateral investment and import and export trade businesses. I believe that this seminar will surely enhance our mutual understanding and friendship. And our contacts and co-operation in different fields will also be promoted to a new height.
3. Why does Yantai Government choose to hold the Investment and Trade Forum in Jakarta?
Yantai has always had a good cooperation relationship with ASEAN and the economic and trade exchange enjoys a long history. The exported commodities to Indonesia mainly include garlic, fruit, vermicelli, flour, steel pipes and kinescopes etc. The imported commodities from Indonesia to Yantai mainly include palm stearin and oil, brass wires, dry cassava, rubber and wood pulp etc.
Based on the complementary industries of both countries, the initiation of the free trade zone between China and ASEAN has further enhanced the possibility of cooperation and provided unprecedented opportunities for the economy and trade development of both countries. This time we have selected some projects suitable for bilateral investment covering fields including electronics, automobile ship building etc. and prepared a commodity brochure containing more than 2000 commodities for your perusal.
Indonesia is a great market with powerful consumers, which will be a good opportunity for the exportation of Yantai industries. What s more, the rich natural resources including wood, fruit etc. are big magnets, attracting Yantai companies to set up their businesses in Indonesia.
4. Japan and Korea are major trade partners for Yantai, mainly because of the geological advantage; however, Yantai and Indonesia are far in distance, do we enjoy any favorable conditions for conducting bilateral trade and investment cooperation?
You are right. Japan and Korea are major trade partners for Yantai and the favorable geographical location plays an important role in that. Though Indonesia and Yantai are far in distance and do not enjoy the favorable geographical location, we enjoy other two favorable conditions which are Golden Opportunity and Support of the People . The compatible and supplementary industries of both regions have created golden opportunity for cooperation and the support of local people will be of crucial importance for a smooth communication and successful cooperation. I am sure that Indonesia will also be a major trade partner for Yantai due to the above-mentioned favorable conditions. In 2004, the import volume from ASEAN was 133 million USD, increased by 57% over 2003. And the import volume from Indonesia was 24 million USD, increased by 27%. These statistics show that the cooperation between us is speeding up. I am very confident about the prospects.
5. Recently, during President Hu Jintao s state visit to Indonesia, he pointed out that the trade volume between Indonesia and China would reach 20 billion USD within 2 years. What can Yantai contribute to achieve this target?
Undoubtedly, President Hu Jintao s speech would act as another push to the bilateral economic and trade cooperation between both sides after the start up of the free trade zone between China and ASEAN. Yantai will try every means possible to expand cooperation in various fields and attract companies from Indonesia to develop businesses, at the same time encourage Yantai companies to step into Indonesia for businesses.
6.As far as we know, Yantai has held 6 international fruit and vegetable expositions on behalf of the Chinese government. I am sure there must have been many Indonesian customers participating. What about the Exposition this year? Are there any differences from the previous ones?
The seventh International Fruit\Vegetable\Food Exposition will be held from Sep. 23 to 26 this year. From this year on, we will have food included. Food, food processing technology and equipment will be important contents. We will focus on overseas markets including Korea, Japan, Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia etc to attract customers to participate in the exposition.
We have accumulated some experiences through the previous 6 expositions. Now the Fruit\Vegetable Exposition has acted as an important platform for world economic and trade communication. We are still trying to improve that and try something different. For example, we may consider having a branch exposition in Indonesia at the same time when the exposition is held in Yantai to boost bilateral ties.
As one of the important cities in the economic circle around Bohai Bay and one of the center cities and an important part of Shandong Peninsula manufacturing base, the economic development speed of Yantai jumped from the former No. 7 to No. 1 among the first 14 cities of China opening to the outside world last year. The GDP of Yantai was 163.9 billion yuan, up 18.8% over 2003, which is 3.8% higher than the average of Shandong.
The fast development of economy has called attention to Yantai. In recent years, in order to speed up the development of the manufacturing base and to forge a strong manufacturing city, based on traditional projects and new industries, Yantai outlines four important pillars: Machinery Industry, Electronic IT Industry, Food Processing Industry and Gold Industry, and map out 10 main products categories around these four crucial industries. At present, there are around 2000 companies with annual sales over 5 million yuan among which, Changyu , Longda etc. altogether 5 are famous Chinese trademarks by China Administration of Commerce and Industry and Luhua , Weilong etc. altogether 60 are famous Shandong trademarks, all of which plus the 10000 foreign invested companies are driving major force for Yantai economy development.
2. Madam Li, it s the first time for you to visit Indonesia, please tell us your impression about our country. What result do you think the Investment and Trade Forum will achieve?
Indonesia is a country rich in natural resources with broad market prospects, esp. the hospitality of the people here has impressed me deeply. I d also like to convey my heartfelt thanks through media here to all those who have provided great support and assistance to Yantai Economic and Trade Mission. Yantai is a charming and buoyant city. I firmly believe that based on the complementary industries of both countries and good platform of economic and trade cooperation; we can further expand our bilateral investment and import and export trade businesses. I believe that this seminar will surely enhance our mutual understanding and friendship. And our contacts and co-operation in different fields will also be promoted to a new height.
3. Why does Yantai Government choose to hold the Investment and Trade Forum in Jakarta?
Yantai has always had a good cooperation relationship with ASEAN and the economic and trade exchange enjoys a long history. The exported commodities to Indonesia mainly include garlic, fruit, vermicelli, flour, steel pipes and kinescopes etc. The imported commodities from Indonesia to Yantai mainly include palm stearin and oil, brass wires, dry cassava, rubber and wood pulp etc.
Based on the complementary industries of both countries, the initiation of the free trade zone between China and ASEAN has further enhanced the possibility of cooperation and provided unprecedented opportunities for the economy and trade development of both countries. This time we have selected some projects suitable for bilateral investment covering fields including electronics, automobile ship building etc. and prepared a commodity brochure containing more than 2000 commodities for your perusal.
Indonesia is a great market with powerful consumers, which will be a good opportunity for the exportation of Yantai industries. What s more, the rich natural resources including wood, fruit etc. are big magnets, attracting Yantai companies to set up their businesses in Indonesia.
4. Japan and Korea are major trade partners for Yantai, mainly because of the geological advantage; however, Yantai and Indonesia are far in distance, do we enjoy any favorable conditions for conducting bilateral trade and investment cooperation?
You are right. Japan and Korea are major trade partners for Yantai and the favorable geographical location plays an important role in that. Though Indonesia and Yantai are far in distance and do not enjoy the favorable geographical location, we enjoy other two favorable conditions which are Golden Opportunity and Support of the People . The compatible and supplementary industries of both regions have created golden opportunity for cooperation and the support of local people will be of crucial importance for a smooth communication and successful cooperation. I am sure that Indonesia will also be a major trade partner for Yantai due to the above-mentioned favorable conditions. In 2004, the import volume from ASEAN was 133 million USD, increased by 57% over 2003. And the import volume from Indonesia was 24 million USD, increased by 27%. These statistics show that the cooperation between us is speeding up. I am very confident about the prospects.
5. Recently, during President Hu Jintao s state visit to Indonesia, he pointed out that the trade volume between Indonesia and China would reach 20 billion USD within 2 years. What can Yantai contribute to achieve this target?
Undoubtedly, President Hu Jintao s speech would act as another push to the bilateral economic and trade cooperation between both sides after the start up of the free trade zone between China and ASEAN. Yantai will try every means possible to expand cooperation in various fields and attract companies from Indonesia to develop businesses, at the same time encourage Yantai companies to step into Indonesia for businesses.
6.As far as we know, Yantai has held 6 international fruit and vegetable expositions on behalf of the Chinese government. I am sure there must have been many Indonesian customers participating. What about the Exposition this year? Are there any differences from the previous ones?
The seventh International Fruit\Vegetable\Food Exposition will be held from Sep. 23 to 26 this year. From this year on, we will have food included. Food, food processing technology and equipment will be important contents. We will focus on overseas markets including Korea, Japan, Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia etc to attract customers to participate in the exposition.
We have accumulated some experiences through the previous 6 expositions. Now the Fruit\Vegetable Exposition has acted as an important platform for world economic and trade communication. We are still trying to improve that and try something different. For example, we may consider having a branch exposition in Indonesia at the same time when the exposition is held in Yantai to boost bilateral ties.
