15 March 2007

Regional Director of IE S’pore, Mr Nee

After our lunch, we had a networking specially arranged with the Regional Director of IE S’pore, Mr Nee. Personally I feel that he has managed to relate what are the important factors to take note when doing business in China and this has helped me to understand International Business as a whole as well as my group project topic better.

Before this, I had very little understanding of IE S’pore. But now I know that IE S’pore helps ready successful company to realize their dream, which is to look for bigger area for investment out to Singapore. This would also help them strengthen their base. But they are not responsible of bringing the company out of Singapore. They help to look out for business opportunities and assist them should they need help such as bringing them to the various embassies and government.

Guang Dong has the largest consumer market in China. But with very strong imitation around as compared with the city which is more sophisticated and international.

Mr Nee also said that “Guanxi” is more important in the less developed part of China thou generally its more important than in Singapore. The basic is still important where cases are not so clear in black and white. This leaves space for ambiguity where they are able to satisfy nearer to what you want. There is space for interpretation of the law. Therefore, if you were to maintain good relationship with the government officials, they would be able to interpret it in a good way. BUT… it is not true to solely have good relations only. For example, in a F&B industry, if the food is not nice, how big space given for shop is of no use also. Therefore, Mr Nee thinks that “Guanxi” acts more of an enhancement.

Understanding the culture of China is also important when doing business in China. but you need not know everything at the start as things could be learnt along the way.

One important thing that Mr Nee said was that :”Attitude is the most important in doing business”. I agree with what he says as you must have the right attitude of doing business, must be able to learn fast and adapt to the environment fast. If without the attitude, no matter what, you will not succeed!

We also should not have the complaining spirit. Instead, we should comply and adapt to the surrounding fast. If one was to keep complaining, he will never succeed. But some things should not change. The principle that we, Singaporeans, should keep and uphold is integrity. Singaporeans might be known “stupid” to HK as we think that cheating and bribery is wrong. But actually we should not fall into temptation.

I find this networking session very fruitful as I was able to learn a lot from Mr Nee. This session has left a very strong impression to me that I would always quote what he has said.