The Young Icebreakers Scotland

Lucy Keany (Ricefield), Rachel Kinloch (Edinburgh Napier 2009 Ambassador to China) and Fiona Macintyre (Scottish Enterprise Saltire Foundation Alumni) have all been confirmed as delegates for the final phase of UK-China 400 visit. From the 20 June to the 1st July 2010 they will tour China in a delegation of of 100 young high flying Brits to meet and discuss with their Chinese counterparts about their personal commitment in issues affecting the debate in the environment; the health of future generations, and the material heritage of our culture.

Major piece of news from China that provides a massive opportunity to the UK’s economy.

BEIJING, May 13 (Xinhua) — China’s government has opened a new range of government-run industries to the private sector, either through investment in existing companies or establishment of new firms.
The government also announced Thursday that it would improve financing services and simplify administrative procedures for private sector involvement in those industries.

Water projects, power generation, mining, and logistics — currently mainly state controlled — would be opened to the private sector, said a statement on the central government website, www.gov.cn.

The statement also reiterated the opening of sectors announced at a State Council executive meeting in March, including education, welfare, transport infrastructure, telecommunications and energy, public utilities, scientific and technological programs for national defense, affordable housing construction and cultural industries.

Private investors could also participate in the establishment of financial institutions by investing in commercial financial institutions and establishing rural banks, credit companies, credit guarantee companies, and rural fund cooperatives.

Private companies were welcomed to participate in the reform of state firms through assets acquisitions or increasing their holdings in them, the statement said.

The government also restated its support for independent innovation in the private sector, encouraging the development of new products and investment in emerging industries, such as bio-medicine, new energy, environment protection and recycling.

Private companies were encouraged to increase overseas investment by conducting international operations outside China, establishing multinational corporations and developing leading brands.

The government would improve financing services for private companies by strengthening the venture capital investment system, and helping with the financing of private firms through equities and bonds.

The government would simplify administrative procedures by making them more efficient and cutting fees.

It promised to step up efforts to create a good environment for private investment by setting up a sound administrative service system and amending unfavorable laws and regulations in its March statement.

The government would also provide guidance for private investors by reporting industrial trends and latest policies. It also instructed industry associations and chambers of commerce to help with finance, technologies, management, and legal affairs.

Private investment played an important role in creating jobs, boosting domestic consumption and providing impetus for economic development, which would help the country maintain sustainable economic growth, it said.

“State capital should focus on ‘key industries’ that are crucial to the development of national economy, and government investment focus on sectors important to the national security……while the other sectors should be wide open to private investment,” said the statement.

The British Council are in the final stages of recruiting participants for the final phase of UK-China 400 study visit. They have been trying to reach as many young leaders as possible from across UK and approached the Young Icebreakers for nominations. The Young Icebreakers have put forward 3 exceptional candidates from Scotland for this final mission.

Lucy Keany (Ricefield), Rachel Kinloch (Edinburgh Napier 2009 Ambassador to China) and Fiona Macintyre (Scottish Enterprise Saltire Foundation Alumni)

From the 20 June to the 1st July 2010 the successful candidates will tour China with a group of 100 young high flying Brits to meet and discuss with their Chinese counterparts about their personal commitment in issues affecting the debate in the environment; the health of future generations, and the material heritage of our culture.

More info – http://www.spqrdesign.co.uk/events/china-missions-exchanges/

Applications: UK400 GB PROFILE FORM

Briefing: All selected participants must attend a briefing day prior to departure in the offices of the British Council in London.

Briefing dates: Wednesday 2 June / Thursday 3 June

Visa Application: June

Between the 24th and 26th of May 25 Young Chinese Leaders will visit Scotland as part of the British Councils UK/CHINA 400 Scheme. The Young Icebreakers are putting together a day of Networking and Development for their Chinese counterparts with the aim of stimulating meaningful dialogue and relationships with the group of future international business leaders.

HE Ambassador Liu Xiaoming will be hosting a reception for the opening of Shanghai Expo on Friday 30^th April 2010, from 12:30 – 14:00, at Chinese Embassy, 49/51 Portland Place, London W1B 1JL.

We have 15 places for the Young Icebreakers at this event.

If you would like to attend, please let Jean Jameson know by return email before 5pm on Friday 9^th April.  Registrations will be on a ‘first come, first served’ basis.

Email: admin@48groupclub.org; secretariat@48groupclub.org

Our objectives

Enhance the ability of Scotland’s next generation of globally-minded business leaders to continually create, develop and make use of opportunities that will benefit the economic, social and environmental prosperity of Scotland.

Create a pool of exceptionally well connected Icebreakers with high level China-focused international networks that have the ability to reach decision makers and get things done.

Educate the network to provide a genuine understanding of China, its cultures, people and the language using both Scotland’s existing China focused education establishments/networks (Confucius institute, SCEN, etc) as well as high level international sources made available through the network/founders.

Continually develop a steady stream of confident, determined young Icebreakers

Stimulate and support the growth of our China body and their alignment and appreciation of our values and culture.

Develop an innovative resourceful system so that the network that does not rely on extensive funding to thrive.

Forward

Scotland already has a wide range of organisations focused on providing information and links with China, so what makes the Young Icebreakers different?

The Young Icebreakers were founded by Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and the 48 Group Club early this year. Because our network is supported at such a high level our ability to follow through with our objectives is considerable. The Young Icebreakers have formed a strong and fast growing membership in London and Beijing. Now Scotland is piloting a growth strategy for the group headed up by the 48 Group Club and supported by Lord Robert Smith and Jack McConnell. Adding to this the Young Icebreakers will seek to work alongside the UK’s existing organisations such as SCEN, the Confucius institute and with schemes such as the Foreign Secretary’s UK-China 400 in which we already involved.

Our strategy

We aim to launch our programme by pulling together a team of highly driven, innovative, young professionals initially selected from 30 of Scotland’s best organisations. On top of this, close links with Scottish Enterprise’s Saltire Foundation will create a constant feed of Saltire Alumni into our network.

This process will equip us with the best people from the top organisations already with their own influential networks and resources. This mix of talent will be brought together into a commanding, productive and efficient network. Building on a programme of groundbreaking events and exchanges, the Young Icebreakers will prepare our next generation of leaders and the Scottish community for the century of China.

“The Saltire Foundation Alumni Association is happy to support Young Ice Breakers in their quest to enhance the ability of Scotland’s next generation of globally-minded business leaders to continually create, develop and make use of opportunities that will benefit the economic, social and environmental prosperity of Scotland. YIB’s mission runs parallel with the Saltire Foundation’s ultimate aim of helping Scotland grow and develop into a significant player on the international business stage by promoting a culture of enterprise amongst its interns.  By working together we are confident that these aims can become a reality.”

-Euan Fraser, Alumni Integration team.