Even as China reports record nine percent economic growth rates, most business travel to China from the United States has been either postponed or cancelled in response to the SARS travel advisory. The U.S. Commercial Service (CS) in China is receiving many inquiries from companies that are commited to maintaining their China business and even launching new business ventures in the face of these travel restrictions.
CS China offices have found a great tool to keep U.S. business alive and well in China - videoconferencing. CS China offices in Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou and our domestic network of over 100 U.S. Export Assistance Centers now have state-of-art videoconferencing equipment. U.S. Government officials and U.S. companies have taken advantage of this capability to discuss business opportunities, conduct interviews and have interactive meetings in lieu of physical travel during this time of travel advisories and restrictions.
One example of the successful use of videoconferencing is the recent Video Gold Key done in Beijing on April 14 and 15, 2003, for the Association for Investment Management and Research (AIMR). From their offices in Virginia, AIMR conducted two days of videoconference interviews with five Chinese organizations. After all the interviews, AIMR said, "The interviews were a great success and the videoconferences were the absolute best alternative to in-person interviews. We could not have arranged to meet with such qualified groups without the help of the U.S. Commercial Service."
Several other companies that have postponed travel plans to China are taking advantage of our video conferencing capabilities in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Chengdu. The most common application is to meet with potential partners identified through the Gold Key Service. In addition, we can arrange counseling sessions with CS China Commercial Officers, video briefings for groups in the U.S., and any other kind of video conference. The U.S. company pays for the line charges and a small rental fee for the use of CS China facilities.
Additonal information about our Gold Key and Video Market Briefing services is available on our website.
To order this service, please contact your nearest U.S. Commercial Service Export Assistance Center, call 1-800-USA-TRADE, or email us at Export.China@mail.doc.gov .
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