EU and China offer Training Programme in China for European Managers.

PRESS RELEASE

EU and China offer Training Programme in China for European Managers

++Applications invited for EU-China Managers Exchange and Training Programme

Beijing, 7 April 2008 – Managers from the 27 member states of the European Union now have a unique chance to learn Business Chinese language and gain valuable work experience in China. To do so, they have to apply until 1 June 2008 for participation in the intergovernmental EU-China project “EU-China Managers Exchange and Training Programme“(METP).

During the ten-month programme the selected European managers receive seven months of intercultural training, Business Chinese language training, tailor-made seminars and site visits to Chinese companies, cities and administration bodies. Additionally, the participants will gain hands-on work experience during a three-month internship in a Chinese or European company in China. All graduates receive an official diploma signed by the EU Ambassador to China. METP will provide participants with a generous living allowance and will cover all tuition fees.

The elite programme is delivered by the University of International Business and Economics in Beijing and aims to train the participants to internalise acquired Chinese language skills, Chinese business culture and practice and to successfully utilise their know-how for their further career and the business success of their company or organisation.

Managers from Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) and Non-Governmental Organisations are eligible to apply, as are entrepreneurial individuals with a focus on China. 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 working 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 July 2008.

METP is a four-year initiative of the European Commission and the Chinese Government and is divided in four intakes, each lasting ten months. The first two intakes have already begun and the current application period invites participants for the third intake, which will start in October 2008. In total, METP aims to provide 200 managers from the European Union and 200 managers from the People’s Republic of China with a top notch training programme tailored to their individual needs.

For further information about application modalities, to download the application dossier and for general information about METP visit www.metp.net.cn or contact the METP hotline at +49 69 15402 367.

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The EU-China Managers Exchange and Training Programme (METP) is a four-year intergovernmental cooperation project between the European Commission and the Government of the People's Republic of China. Placed within the dynamic context of continuously evolving relations between the EU and China, the non-profit programme is designed to enhance business expertise by developing European and Chinese human resources. METP aims to train and financially support internships for 200 Chinese managers in the EU and 200 European managers in China. The programme is implemented by the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade from 2006 to 2010, and total funding from the EC and the Government of China is 23 million Euros.

Enquiries:

PUBLICIS Consultants Deutschland GmbH

Philip Maravilla, Tel.: +49 69 15402 376, Fax: +49 69 15402 270

E-Mail: philip.maravilla@publicis-consultants.de