Chinese investors to expand European operations

A group of top Chinese investors has picked Denmark as one of three European countries from which to expand their European operations, Denmark's Foreign Ministry said in an official statement Thursday.

The decision to open joint headquarters in Denmark follows a working visit to European countries in December 2011, by some 25 Chinese investors. They represented up to 500 Chinese companies who are members of the Aigo Entrepreneur Alliance (AEA) in China.

"Denmark's strong focus on design and innovation enables Chinese brands to learn from and collaborate with Danish companies in order to become successful in the rest of Europe," said Feng Jun, who is initiator of AEA, and Chairman of consumer electronics group Aigo.

"Denmark also provides good opportunities for partnerships with universities and design institutions in order to further develop our brands," he added in the statement.

The AEA aims to promote privately-owned Chinese brands globally, and its members include leading companies within industries such as electronics, maritime, real estate and clothing.

During its December trip, the AEA investors met Danish Prime Minister Helle Thorning-Schmidt, high officials from the ministries of Foreign Affairs, and Trade and Investment, and representatives from some of Denmark's biggest companies and financial institutions.

Feng said that Denmark's investment climate and ease of doing business helped in choosing it as a hub for expanding AEA member companies' European operations.

The group of investors, who also visited the Netherlands, Britain, and Belgium, among others, will recommend the country to other AEA members.

This decision is welcomed by Denmark, which regards China as a vital partner in trade and foreign affairs.

"Commercial relations with China are of great importance to my government," said Pia Olsen Dyhr, Denmark's Minister for Trade and Investment.

"We need to attract new investments to Denmark in order to create new jobs, and as Chinese companies are expanding globally, I see many ways that our two nations can collaborate," she said in the statement.

Dyhr is planning to visit China in February to promote Danish export and continue dialogue with the Chinese investors about their future plans in Denmark. She hoped more investors would see the country as "a stepping stone to reach the rest of Europe."