Latest news with #DanishChamberOfCommerce
Zawya
5 days ago
- Business
- Zawya
FM Nafti opens Tunisian-Danish Business Forum, positions Tunisia as Africa's commercial gateway
Tunis - Minister of Foreign Affairs, Migration and Tunisians Abroad, Mohamed Ali Nafti, opened the Tunisian-Danish Business Forum at the headquarters of the Danish Chamber of Commerce in Copenhagen, Denmark. He was joined by a delegation of Tunisian businesspeople from the Confederation of Tunisian Citizen Enterprises (CONECT), as well as a delegation of their Danish counterparts. During his visit to the Kingdom of Denmark, Nafti emphasised that this business forum reflects the eagerness of economic actors in Tunisia and Denmark to explore new partnership opportunities in vital areas such as clean energy and technology. It also demonstrates their desire to capitalise on the significant potential available in both countries, thereby strengthening economic cooperation and doubling trade exchanges over the next three years, according to a press release issued by the ministry this evening. The foreign minister highlighted three sectors on which to focus to form a solid basis for the Tunisian-Danish partnership: pharmaceuticals, agricultural production technologies, and digital services. "Tunisia is the natural gateway that Denmark can use to access African markets, thereby strengthening its position as a regional centre for trade and investment," he stressed. Nafti called on businesspeople from both countries to use this important forum to establish solid economic partnerships and noted the Tunisian government's commitment to facilitating trade and creating a favourable investment climate through the establishment of legislative frameworks that stimulate economic activity in various sectors. According to the press release, the forum included the organisation of B2B meetings between Tunisian and Danish economic actors, with the aim of exploring ways to strengthen cooperation and partnerships in various economic sectors. These will be discussed further at the next meeting of the "Nordic-Tunisian Sustainable Business Forum," which is to be held in Tunis in October. The Minister of Foreign Affairs concluded his visit to Denmark — the second stop on his tour of several Scandinavian countries — by meeting members of the Tunisian community living in Denmark. © Tap 2022 Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Global Times: Xi's reply letter to founder of Danish Chamber of Commerce in China inspires renewed commitment to deeper engagement with Chinese market
BEIJING, May 27, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- "China is a very important market for European businesses. We are confident in this market in the long-term and will continue our commitment to it, serving as a bridge between China and Denmark, and China and Europe," said Simon Lichtenberg, All China Founding Chairman of the Danish Chamber of Commerce in China, in an interview with the Global Times after receiving a reply letter from Xi. As 2025 marks the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Denmark and China, Lichtenberg wrote two letters to President Xi in April - one on behalf of the chamber and another personal letter, according to the Xinhua News Agency. "We have always wanted to express our appreciation for the opportunities China provides for our business development, and writing a letter to President Xi was our way of showing that gratitude," Lichtenberg said. In the letter representing the chamber, Lichtenberg extended congratulations on the enduring friendship between China and Denmark, and reaffirmed the chamber's commitment to deepening its engagement with the Chinese market. In his personal letter, Lichtenberg reflected on his experiences in China since 1987 and his long journey as a foreign entrepreneur. "For me and the chamber, it's always been about helping connect China with the rest of the world," he said. In response to both of Lichtenberg's letters, Xi encouraged the chamber and its member enterprises to make new contributions to enhancing China-Denmark and China-Europe friendship, and deepening mutually beneficial cooperation. The Chinese leader also expressed appreciation for the founder's deep affection for China and the confidence of Danish enterprises in China regarding the country's future development. China has been and will remain an ideal, secure, and promising destination for foreign investors. Believing in China is believing in a better tomorrow, and investing in China is investing in the future, Xi said in the letter. "It was truly an incredibly joyful and emotional moment when I received the reply from President Xi," Lichtenberg said, recalling his surprise upon receiving the letter. "It's a major recognition and encouragement not only for Danish businesses, but also for all foreign-invested enterprises in China - and for all of us." Lichtenberg said he felt deeply honored and acutely aware of the responsibility that comes with the recognition. "President Xi's reply deeply moved me and was a great source of encouragement. Our chamber will continue to serve as a bridge - not only for China-Denmark relations, but also for broader China-Europe exchanges and cooperation," he added. Strong bond Lichtenberg has a strong personal and emotional connection with China. Lichtenberg said that "I was deeply touched when President Xi expressed appreciation for my deep affection for China." In 1987, after graduating from high school, he came to China as an international student at Fudan University. In 1995, he founded the Trayton Group in Shanghai and has since been actively involved in promoting China-Denmark economic and investment cooperation. Today, his furniture company has grown from the ground up to achieve annual billion-yuan sales, exporting China-made, high-quality furniture to global markets. In addition to business, he is also dedicated to public welfare, contributing to the development of rural education in China. In recognition of his significant contributions to Shanghai's development and international exchanges, in 2006, he was awarded the Shanghai Magnolia Silver Award, and in 2019, he received the Shanghai Magnolia Gold Award, becoming the third Danish citizen to receive this prestigious honor in China. In recent years, he has been committed to guiding the Chamber in contributing to the high-quality development of China-Denmark economic relations and promoting a high level of openness. As the founding president of the Danish Chamber of Commerce in China, Lichtenberg was deeply moved by Xi's reference to the chamber's "bridging role" in his reply letter. "The chamber not only actively communicates the needs of its member companies to the Chinese government, but also offers suggestions to the Danish side, helping build a bridge of dialogue to enhance mutual understanding and trust," Lichtenberg said. "President Xi's letter made me keenly aware of the responsibilities I carry," Li said. "I believe that mutual understanding and trust are the foundation of the friendly and mutually beneficial cooperation between Denmark and China. The Danish Chamber of Commerce in China will continue its efforts to serve as a bridge and promote stronger cooperation between our two countries." As a fluent Mandarin speaker who has been living in China for over three decades, he noted that many Europeans do not fully understand China, which is why it is important for both European leaders and citizens to visit the country, experience it firsthand, and see the openness of the Chinese government for themselves. This, he said, is a key step toward fostering stronger cooperation. Widespread resonance Xi's response was met with strong enthusiasm and positive reactions from Danish and other European businesses closely following economic and trade relations between China and the EU. "President Xi's reply shows that China and Denmark are continuing to advance cooperation and exchanges through concrete actions," Xu Yang, President of Danfoss China and Head of Drives China Division, told the Global Times in a statement on Friday. After entering the Chinese market nearly 30 years ago, Danfoss has witnessed firsthand the rapid growth of China's economy and takes great pride in having contributed to this remarkable progress, Xu said, stressing a firm commitment to investing in China and growing together. As China advances high-quality development and fosters new quality productive forces, the country is generating enormous opportunities in green development, offering sustained growth potential for Danfoss' business, Xu said. In 2024, for example, Danfoss saw strong growth in several key sectors in China, including data centers, semiconductors, and energy storage. Among them, business related to data centers grew by 70 percent. At the same time, China is rapidly emerging as an increasingly innovative nation, with continuous improvements in intellectual property protection, said Xu, noting that Danfoss is committed to shifting from "Made in China" to "Innovated in China" - a transition that will unlock even more opportunities for Danfoss and other Danish enterprises. "As a Danish company that has been rooted in China for 30 years, we are greatly encouraged by President Xi's reply to the Danish Chamber of Commerce in China. We see China as fertile ground for our continued investment and long-term development," said Ulrik Gernow, Group Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Grundfos, in a statement shared with the Global Times. As a Dane, Gernow's family shares a deep emotional bond with China. "About a century ago, my grandfather came to China for work and settled here. My father was born in Beijing and grew up in the old hutong and traditional courtyard houses of the city," he said, referring to the strong and close bond between his family and China. In 2024, Grundfos officially launched its high-end manufacturing project in Changshu, East China's Jiangsu Province, with a total investment of $100 million. Gernow was appointed as an expert advisor to the China Institute of Energy Economics. "Maersk has been serving China's foreign trade [sector] for a century, and China remains one of our most important markets," Jens Eskelund, North Asia Chief Representative, A.P. Moller-Maersk, told the Global Times. The Danish logistics conglomerate is expanding its presence in China, with its Shanghai Lingang flagship logistics center, with an investment of more than 1 billion yuan, expected to start operations in November. "Maersk will continue to invest in China to serve our many customers and partners in China, enhancing our integrated logistics capabilities in China across ocean, air, and inland transportation," said Eskelund. In aligning with China's pursuit of green development, Eskelund said, "Maersk believes that China has the potential to become a global green marine fuel production hub, and will continue exploring opportunities to collaborate with the Chinese government and relevant parties to develop sustainable logistics, enhance green supply chains, and invest in renewable energy projects." This year marks the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Denmark. Looking ahead, Grundfos said that he is willing to continue to serve as a bridge, actively promoting the exchange of experiences and cooperation between China and Denmark in the field of green transformation. Injecting momentum The letter not only highlights China-Denmark relations, but also broader China-EU ties. In his reply letter, Xi expressed his hope that the Danish Chamber of Commerce in China and its member enterprises will continue to play the role of a bridge between China and Denmark as well as China and Europe, and contribute to enhancing mutual understanding and friendship, as well as deepening mutually beneficial cooperation between the two sides. Since the beginning of this year, there have been frequent high-level exchanges between China and Europe. On May 23, a visiting senior official of the CPC, Chen Wenqing, met with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban in Hungary, as both sides vowed to deepen cooperation on national sovereignty, law enforcement, and the Belt and Road Initiative , Xinhua reported. The two countries vowed to continue playing an exemplary role in the high-quality joint construction of the Belt and Road as well as in the cooperation between China and Central and Eastern European Countries, and enhance the steady and long-term development of China-Europe relations, the report said. On May 19, the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Denmark, Lars Løkke Rasmussen, paid an official visit to China. During his meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Beijing, Wang called for deepened political trust and the promotion of ties as the two countries commemorate the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations, according to a readout from the Chinese Foreign Ministry. Speaking at the meeting with Wang, Rasmussen said that Denmark firmly upholds free trade and opposes decoupling, and looks forward to working with China to jointly safeguard the multilateral system and international order, and to maintain the momentum of globalization. Ongoing intensive dialogues, exchanges, and cooperation between China and the EU suggest that, in today's shifting global environment, the EU increasingly recognizes China's significant role in supporting international stability and multilateral cooperation, Cui Hongjian, professor of the Academy of Regional and Global Governance at the Beijing Foreign Studies University, told the Global Times. China and Europe are deeply and closely connected economically. Cui said that this connection goes beyond trade and investment, reflecting a shared commitment to fair and open markets based on World Trade Organization rules. While today's global landscape has brought many challenges with geopolitical tensions and trade conflicts, Lichtenberg sees China as an economy that represents stability, growth, and a promising future. He said he remains confident in China's economic prospects, is committed to deepening his presence in the market, and is willing to serve as a bridge between China, Europe, and the rest of the world. Lichtenberg described himself as a "son-in-law of Shanghai," noting that his wife is from the city. All three of their children were born and raised in China. "I hope they, too, will grow up to work and build their future here," he said. View original content: SOURCE Global Times Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
South China Morning Post
15-05-2025
- Business
- South China Morning Post
President Xi sends a message to Danish businesses ahead of China visit by foreign minister
President Xi Jinping has issued a rare reply to a foreign commerce chamber, hailing bilateral cooperation amid a push to lure foreign investors onshore and expand China's circle of friends during a 90-day trade-war truce with the United States. In his letter to the Danish Chamber of Commerce in China – the president's first to a foreign business community in four years – Xi expressed his appreciation for the chamber's contributions to bilateral relations and their confidence in China's development. China would remain an ideal destination for foreign investors, Xi was quoted by the state-run Xinhua as saying on Thursday. '[We] hope that the Danish Chamber of Commerce in China and its member companies will continue to serve as a bridge between China and Denmark, and between China and Europe – helping to enhance mutual understanding and friendship, and to deepen mutually beneficial cooperation between both sides,' he said. The Chinese leader's outreach to the foreign business community through letters often serves to convey messages to an external audience, especially in times of geopolitical deadlocks. Also on Thursday, China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen would begin a four-day visit to China on Saturday, adding that Beijing hoped the trip would provide an opportunity to strengthen ties with Denmark and deepen bilateral cooperation.
