What business leaders are watching at CIIE: Part II
Celina Chew, president of Bayer Group (China)
What are the highlights of your exhibits at the China International Import Expo? Are you launching any new products, technologies or solutions?
The Bayer exhibits at CIIE focus on health and nutrition, two very fundamental issues in all of our lives. We show some of our latest research results and development concepts in our Pharmaceuticals, Consumer Health, CropScience and Animal Health businesses. Our theme is "Energize Your World" which is very relevant for health and nutrition.
In the area of Crop Science and Animal Health, we will highlight our efforts to shape agriculture by using breakthrough innovations that benefit not only farmers, but also consumers and our planet. Our exhibits will show some typical scenarios in the food chain, starting from sowing which is the start of our food chain, to managing crops, harvesting them and finally to the consumption of food.
Our pharmaceuticals division has been making significant investments and progress in research and development, especially in the areas of cardiology, oncology, gynecology, hematology and ophthalmology. Our exhibition will showcase solutions in these therapeutic areas, including cancer.
In terms of deals, what do you expect from the CIIE? Whom are you targeting?
The CIIE is a signature event for the Chinese government that highlights and supports China's policy and aim of further opening up to the world. We expect to meet representatives of many diverse and exciting countries, companies, businesses and organizations with an interest in China, and look forward to exchanging ideas and finding opportunities for collaboration. Bayer is very committed to open innovation and collaboration, especially in the areas of health and nutrition. We welcome existing and potential customers, consumers, business partners and collaborators to visit our exhibition area and share their ideas with us. I believe our great exhibits will speak for themselves. They demonstrate the innovation, excellence and passion that drive Bayer's continuous efforts to meet the needs of Chinese patients, Chinese consumers, Chinese farmers and Chinese society.
Do you think the CIIE could eventually help drive the development or upgrade of the industry your company is in, and your company's strategy in China?
I believe that the CIIE can help to enhance development in the healthcare and agriculture industries by creating more awareness of the importance of nutrition and health, and promoting the solutions available to further improve lives in these areas.
What's your view on China's pledge to further open up its markets to foreign companies? How would that benefit your business? Any specific examples?
We support China's pledge to further open up its markets to foreign companies as we believe this will be a great opportunity, not only to bring innovative products and solutions to China that enhance the lives of Chinese people, but also to promote exchanges of ideas and collaboration, leading to better understanding and trust. All of this is crucial to supporting innovation, both in China and around the world.
Further opening up by China will benefit all of Bayer's businesses in healthcare and agriculture by allowing us to bring even more of our innovative solutions to China with greater speed and efficiency. This will help us to engage in more collaborations in China, which will enable us to be even more connected with local business partners, government, consumers, patients and farmers. Through this, we can gain a better understanding of new trends and opportunities in China, explore new and exciting market segments and business models, as well as further develop our existing portfolio.
What is your forecast for China's economy in the next three years? What key issues will you be watching for?
Despite the various challenges facing China and also the world, the Chinese economy will continue to grow and develop towards the "centenary goal" that China has set itself of achieving a moderately prosperous, harmonious and balanced society in China by 2020. I expect that, in the next three years, China will focus on its 13th Five-Year plan and proceed with implementing its plans for higher quality economic growth, supporting innovation and sustainability as growth drivers, and going forward with its reform efforts, including supply-side structural reforms, reducing inventory, deleveraging debt, alleviating poverty. I believe China will also handle challenges with pragmatism and continued focus on its long-term objectives. Key issues that we will be watching for include the speed and scope of reforms, and the maintenance of quality growth and social stability while carrying out reforms. Innovation is another key issue of interest for Bayer as we firmly believe that local innovation, as well as allowing more innovative products into China.
