Ceepackaging

Corporate

How about a trip to China?

The EU-China Managers Exchange and Training Programme (METP),
financed by the European Comission and China, aims to meet this rising demand by offering
an unmatched high-level training scheme. The programme aims at EU managers and
professionals interested in gaining China expertise as well as Chinese managers with an
ambition to train in management in Europe. The application period for METP’s 2009
programme has started this month.
For EU-based companies and especially SMEs, METP offers the possibility to train their
employees to become qualified experts for the Chinese market. Ideally, these experts will
utilise their newly acquired skills and contacts needed to conduct business with China. Longterm
objective of METP is to enhance and to sustainably improve the EU’s relationship with
China through exchange and economic cooperation. Stefan Hell, Team Leader in Beijing:
“Despite the strong coverage China has received through the Beijing Olympics, the country
and its business culture remains unknown to most European managers. To be successful in
China, one needs a profound knowledge of economy, culture and business ethics. And this is
what METP offers applicants. At the same time the programme functions as a platform
where Europeans and Chinese meet and build long-term relationships – the basic foundation
for successful business in China.”
Besides the organisation of the whole stay, the EU will cover all tuition fees. METP will
provide participants with a monthly living allowance (about 1.000 Euros). All graduates
receive an official diploma signed by the EU Ambassador to China.
METP is a four-year initiative of the European Commission and the Chinese Government
and is divided into four intakes, each lasting ten months. Intake 3 starts in October 2008.
Application deadline for intake 4 is January 4th, 2009. Applicants should have no or only
very limited knowledge of Chinese language, should be between 26 and 40 years of age and
must have a minimum of five years work experience. In addition to credible academic
qualifications the candidates have to present a compelling business plan for their stay in
China. Applicants who convince the European and Chinese selection jury of the feasibility
of their business plan will obtain an invitation to a personal interview and assessment centre
in Brussels or Beijing in 2009.