AmCham-China Issues Recommendations for Bolstering Economy through Improved US-China Trade Relations

Releases 2009 White Paper on American Business in China

BEIJING, April 27 /PRNewswire-Asia/ -- The American Chamber of Commerce in the People's Republic China (AmCham-China) today released its 2009 White Paper on the State of American Business in China (White Paper). Based on the views and experiences of its members working and living in China, this report --AmCham-China's 11th annual edition -- gives recommendations on improving the business environment in China to promote economic growth in the midst of the current global downturn.

China is one of the world's few economies that have continued to see growth in 2009. Furthermore, according to a recent AmCham-China member survey, two-thirds of US companies in China expect to directly or indirectly benefit from China's RMB four trillion (US $584 billion) stimulus package. Nonetheless, AmCham-China stressed that it is important that both the Chinese and American stimulus packages are implemented efficiently and openly to maximize their economic impact. "In 2009, we see two critical and intertwined goals," said John D. Watkins, Jr., AmCham-China Chairman. "They are overcoming protectionism and enhancing local implementation of China's regulatory environment."

In the White Paper, one of the recommendations made to the Chinese government to help ensure that efficiency takes priority over politics in both the US and Chinese stimulus packages is faster movement toward accession to the World Trade Organization's Agreement on Government Procurement (GPA). Being a Party to the GPA would ensure that companies from the US and China could bid on most projects paid for by the other country's stimulus package. Watkins said that even if China does not move to join the GPA quickly, "The implementation of the Chinese stimulus package would nonetheless present the chance for China to demonstrate its commitment to enforcing regulations and laws in a vigorous, transparent and uniform manner."

AmCham-China's 2009 White Paper also outlines specific recommendations for the Chinese and US governments on ways to improve the business environment through increased cooperation. AmCham-China argues that goal-oriented working- and high-level dialogues between the governments are the best way to ensure continued improvement for businesses and consumers. "The opening of US Food and Drug Administration offices in China to work with local authorities toward improving product safety is a tangible benefit from US-China discussions," AmCham-China President Michael Barbalas said. "This successful collaboration establishes a precedent that hopefully paves the way for future programs on issues such as the environment and energy conservation."

The White Paper is the most important policy document released by AmCham-China each year and is widely distributed and referred to by officials in the Chinese and US governments. It will be used by AmCham-China as the basis for policy discussions and dialogue for the next 12 months. The 2009 White Paper includes 38 chapters covering the overall business climate, regional outlooks and in-depth reviews of key industries and issues from intellectual property rights and environmental protection, to financial services and aviation. In addition to input from AmCham-China members, this year's White Paper includes important, select contributions from AmCham Shanghai and AmCham-Southwest China.

About The American Chamber of Commerce in China:

AmCham-China is a Beijing-based, non-profit organization representing the interests of some 2,700 companies and individuals doing business throughout China. For more information about 2009 elected positions or the organization, visit: http://www.amchamchina.org

Download a copy of the 2009 White Paper at: http://www.amchamchina.org