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Programme

The Yangtze Business Network 2009 Programme

Please note that the programme remains a work in progress and is subject to change.

Wednesday 15 April

8:30 – 9:00am Registration for delegates
9:00am Chair : Mr Matt FLYNN/Ms ZHANG Tingting
9:00 – 9:20am Modernising the Yangtze
  Opening speech by Mr HUANG Qiang, Party Secretary, the Yangtze River Administration of Navigational Affairs, Ministry of Transport

The latest developments in the Yangtze’s modernisation programme, and an update on the major road and rail projects

The creation of the Ministry of Transport and what it means for intermodal transport

A progress report on: Three Gorges Dam; the construction of the digital waterway; measures to tackle the problem of low-water levels; regulatory measures to encourage mergers of private shipping operators to promote modern technology; the Yangtze Shipping Index; moves towards compulsory insurance for vessels.
9:20 – 9:40am The case for investing in the interior
  Mr Ian STONES, Partner Four Seas Investment Consultants and former Managing Director of General Motors Asia

The opportunities and challenges for foreign manufacturers looking to invest in China's interior: government incentives, cost differentials, bureaucracy, human resource talent, sourcing, transport and real estate issues.

Why is the interior now an attractive option?
9:40 – 10:00am A logistics overview of accessing China's interior
  Mr HU Ke, Intermodal Director Inland Asia, Maersk China

The impact of the improved road and waterway networks; intermodal challenges; weather and topography issues; the quality and reliability of transport service providers, the impact of fluctuating oil costs; the regulatory framework.
10:00 – 10:20am Q & A session
10:20 – 10:40am Coffee break
10:40 – 11:00am Shipping conditions on the Yangtze
  Ms CHEN Xiaoyun, deputy director of the Yangtze Waterway Bureau

Progress of the dredging programmes across the upper, middle and lower reaches (every extra metre in water depth typically allows the passage of another 1,000 teu); the trend towards larger vessels; and improved navigational and sailing conditions for shippers including the expansion of night-time sailing and the traffic lane system.
11:00 – 11:20am Case study one: a leading Yangtze barge operator
 

Mr LU Xiaozhong, president and CEO of Minsheng Shipping Group

Chongqing-based Minsheng Shipping is the largest private barge operator on the Yangtze and one of the major 3PLs in the region.

What impact has the global economic downturn had on Yangtze shipping levels and on pricing? Shipping trends, direct services to and from Taiwan, vessel availability, journey times, competitive situation, bottlenecks and challenges.

11:20 – 11:40am Case study two: an auto parts supplier in Hubei province
 

Remy Electricals, Jingzhou

Why has the company decided to consolidate its China operations in Hubei’s second largest city?

Is the Yangtze a viable transport mode for time-sensitive manufacturers?
What is their experience of local 3PL providers, and recent developments in Customs?

11:40 – 12:00pm Q & A session
12:00 – 1:00pm Sit-down buffet lunch
1:00 – 1:20pm Case study three: a manufacturer in the Yangtze’s westernmost port city
 

Jean-Marie COUTANT, integration director of Terex in Luzhou, Sichuan province

Why did the world’s third largest manufacturer of construction equipment invest in Luzhou and what are the challenges of operating there?

How new knowledge about the Yangtze is changing the company’s logistics strategy

Measures to improve efficiency and transportation costs

1:20 – 1:40pm Case study four: a leading FIE in Wuhan
  Ms Echo HUANG, deputy manager import/export department, TPV Technology

Taiwan-headquartered TPV is the world's second largest OEM of computer monitors, and the largest user of Wuhan port.

What incentives were given by the local government to secure TPV's investment in Wuhan? What are the strengths and weaknesses of the local labour force? What factors cause 20 per cent of their export-bound containers to fail to reach Yangshan on time? In what circumstances do they use air, road and rail? How does the logistics experience in Wuhan compare with its plant in Fujian?
1:40 – 2:00pm Justice for shippers on the Yangtze
  Mr XU Shaolin, Chief Justice, Wuhan Maritime Court

An overview of Wuhan Maritime Court, its activities and guiding principles

Recent legislative developments regarding inland transport

Examples of individual cases involving foreign shippers

2:00 – 2:15pm Coffee break
2:15 – 2:35pm A profile of Wuhan Port
  Mr GU Qiangsheng, executive deputy general manager of Wuhan Port Group

Current capacity and future development plans

What is the port doing to improve services, shorten turnaround times and reduce user costs?
2:35 – 2:55pm The role of Shanghai
  Shanghai Port Authority

Shanghai as China’s international shipping centre and its role in the development of the Yangtze
2:55 – 3:10pm Q & A session
3:10 – 3:30pm coffee break
3:30 – 5:30pm Matchmaking session
  Allocated meeting times will be detailed in a separate sheet that will be given to delegates upon registration. All the participating Yangtze ports and government officials will have their own desks and signages. Delegates with appointments booked in the first timeslot should make their way to the appropriate desk at the sound of the first bell at 3:30pm. Bells will then be rung at 15-minute intervals to mark the end of one session and the beginning of another.

At the sound of the bell, please move promptly to your next appointment or repair to the coffee area. The sequence of timeslots will be clearly visible in the coffee area and the meeting hall.

All delegates will wear colour-identifiable badges: blue for Chinese officials and white for representatives of Western companies. Simultaneous translation is provided throughout the presentations. However for the match making session, Western delegates are advised to bring along a local member staff or translator.
 


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