On February 22, 2022, the China Chamber of Commerce to the EU (CCCEU) successfully held a webinar on "Beyond the pandemic: Investment and Financing Opportunities for Chinese Companies in the EU", inviting experts from DALDEWOLF Law Firm, Bank of China (Europe) S.A., and Banque Internationale à Luxembourg (BIL) to discuss the situation of Chinese companies' investment and M&As in Europe amid the pandemic, the channels of M&A financing products, and the accessibility of EU funds.

The event consisted of three parts: welcome speeches, keynote speeches, and a Q&A session. The welcome speeches were delivered by Guo Xin, Secretary General of the CCCEU, and Patrick De Wolf, Managing Partner, ICC Arbitrator, and Professor at DALDEWOLF.

The Webinar on "Beyond the pandemic: Investment and Financing Opportunities for Chinese Companies in the EU" was held by the CCCEU on Feb. 22, 2022. Photo by the CCCEU.

In his welcome speech, Mr. Guo said that even during the pandemic, China-EU economic and trade cooperation and investment development have shown resilience. The chamber’s 2021 Flagship Report showed that Chinese private capital investment in China and the EU remained active and widely invested in the EU's digital and green economies and many other sectors. He said he hopes the webinar will provide a high-level platform for Chinese enterprises to develop their business in Europe and promote two-way investment and economic and trade relations.

Mr. Patrick De Wolf, Managing Partner, ICC Arbitrator, and Professor at DALDEWOLF, delivered opening remarks. Photo by the CCCEU.

In his opening remarks, Mr. De Wolf congratulated the webinar organized by the chamber. He said that the DALDEWOLF law firm has a long history, is based in the heart of Europe and has strong activities related to Chinese, African and U.S. markets. The European economy was hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic, but the EU's massive economic stimulus package is expected to fuel the bloc’s recovery. As a lot of new business and investment opportunities are set to emerge in the post-pandemic era, it is important for the webinar to discuss those opportunities.

Keynote speeches were delivered by Ms. Xiufang (Ava) Tu, AVOCATE COUNSEL at Corporate and Financial Law and head of China Practice at the Brussels Office of DALDEWOLF, Mr. Carlo Wolff, Director, Corporate & Institutional Banking, CIB China Coordination of Banque Internationale à Luxembourg, Ms. Weng Qing, CFA, Deputy Head of Syndicated and Structured Finance, BOC Europe, and Ms. Anais Guillerme, AVOCAT COUNSE at European Law at the Brussels Office of DALDEWOLF.

Xiufang (Ava) Tu, AVOCATE COUNSEL at Corporate and Financial Law and head of China Practice at the Brussels Office of DALDEWOLF, delivered a keynote speech. Photo by the CCCEU.

Ms. Tu gave a speech on "European M&A Market Summary and Outlook" to the attendees. She mentioned that data showed that the global M&A market exceeded pre-epidemic levels and that the European M&A market saw a seven-year high in deal volume, with positive factors including high vaccination rates for new vaccines, which boosted investor confidence; government tax incentives and other recovery policies; and a well-capitalised and active private equity market.

Looking ahead to 2022, Tu said GDP growth and favourable capital markets could support a strong M & A year. On the other hand, the EU FDI review mechanism has been in effect for more than a year, and Chinese companies should consider multiple factors, including policy, when investing in Europe.

Carlo Wolff, Director, Corporate & Institutional Banking, CIB China Coordination of Banque Internationale à Luxembourg, delivered a keynote speech.

Mr. Wolff delivered a keynote speech on "Acquisition Finance: Investing in the EU." He briefed the audience on the history of BIL and its key data, the bank’s corporate finance offers, including offering lending and advisory services for corporates and entrepreneurs.

According to Wolff, since 2016, BIL has completed 72 deals in different sectors such as financial services, manufacturing, investment holding, real estate, technology, media, and telecom, as well as healthcare and life sciences. Owned by Legend Holding, the bank is ready to help its Chinese partners grow in Europe, he added.

Ms. Weng Qing, CFA, Deputy Head of Syndicated and Structured Finance, BOC Europe, delivered a keynote speech. Photo by the CCCEU.

Ms. Weng made a speech on "BOC global service— Finance products introduction." She introduced the Bank of China’s "M & A Finance+" service solution, the advantages and classic cases of BOC M & A financing, and the overview of BOC Europe.

Weng said that BOC Group, with the advantages of integration and diversification at home and abroad, provides a combination of M&A advisory, equity financing, equity direct investment, syndicated loans, hedging, cash management, transaction banking, payment and clearing, bond issuance, initial issue, post-merger credit support, etc., with M&A loans as the core product, focusing on the financial needs of enterprises in the M&A process. She added that BOC Europe is committed to promoting Chinese enterprises' investment in Europe.

Ms. Anais Guillerme, AVOCAT COUNSE at European Law at the Brussels Office of DALDEWOLF, delivered a keynote speech.

Ms. Guillerme’s speech was on "How Chinese firms could access EU funding." She discussed the eligibility of Chinese undertakings for EU funding, citing Horizon Europe and the EU member states' implementation of the EU’s Recovery and Resilience Facility as examples.

She said there are actual opportunities for Chinese undertakings to explore, either at the EU or member state levels, while anticipation and preparation are key.

Speakers were at the Q&A session. Photo by the CCCEU. 

During the Q&A session, keynote speakers interacted with the participants on issues such as the China-EU investment agreement, M&A business and financing services, and EC funding. More than 60 experts and representatives from the CCCEU members, Chinese and European companies, banks, research institutions, and government departments attended the conference.