Jinan City, Shandong Province, October 19-20, 2010
Hosts: www.israelchinainstitute.com and http://ncdz.dzwww.com/
Organizers: www.confuciangroup.com.
Contact Info: israelchinainstitute@gmail.com; confuciangroup@gmail.com.
Israel: +972 546 204727; China +86 13805403304; +86 13075355760

It is a pleasure to invite you to:

The Annual Shandong Agriculture and Technology Forum

To take place on Monday and Tuesday, 18th -19th of October, 2010, at the prestigious Shandong Hotel, Jinan City, Shandong Province, China, in the presence of His Honor, the Vice Governor of Shandong, Mr Cai Liming; senior provincial and district level Communist Party officials, agriculture researchers, research institutes and university leaders, R&D companies, government ministers, bureau and association chiefs and leaders from Shandong and Israel.

About Shandong

Shandong Province is the largest agricultural producer and leading agriculture related manufacturer in China, with diverse industries ranging from machinery manufacturing; crops, fruits, fish, poultry, cattle farming; agriculture universities and research institutes; and other related markets, services and industries.

Opportunities abound for foreign companies and entrepreneurs in Chinese agriculture industries. The objective of the forum is to provide a platform for meaningful introductions, discussion and the signing of cooperative agreements. The Forum will provide networking opportunities to firms and investors in a diverse range of agricultural- and technology-related industries and disciplines.

Shandong has a population of over one hundred million people; 17 cities (each with populations over four million), and over 2000 villages and districts (each with over 60,000 people).  Shandong is the largest grower of crops, fruit, vegetables, fish and cattle for China’s domestic consumption as well a leading exporter. Only recently its massive economic weight is being felt at home and abroad. The next five years is likely to witness an unprecedented transformation of the rural-agricultural life of the region. The surging needs of local farms, corporations, industries and leaders for new technologies, innovation, services and ideas, modern techniques and overseas partnerships, opens unprecedented opportunities for foreign companies to collaborate, sell their products and know-how in the region, to invest and to attract investment. Shandong borders four large provinces, Hebei, Henan, Jiangsu and Anhui, with a combined population of over 400 million – all agriculture based economies, with huge development needs. Shandong serves as a regional hub for business and transportation, providing extensive land, rail and sea transport, for Central, North and Northeast China and to overseas markets. The province’s second, third and fourth tier cities, and its rural areas are growing at a phenomenal rate, and require extensive modernization to keep pace with demand and achieve greater competitiveness. 

Emerging Opportunities in Agriculture

Following the delivery of Central Government Policy Document No 1 by President Hu Jintao providing guidelines, incentives and instructions to all levels of central, provincial and district level government to rapidly modernize the rural and agricultural industries via a series of steps including cooperation with overseas enterprises, it was decided to promptly convene the Shandong Agriculture and Technology Forum as an annual event to provide a platform and venue for overseas and domestic agricultural interests to meet, exchange ideas, present products and sign agreements for future collaboration. The Forum was devised to provide provincial officials and industry leaders with overseas technical support, contacts and source of experience to address the huge challenges in transforming China’s large rural areas into a modern, developed, robust and competitive agricultural arena.

About the Organizers, Sponsors and Participants

The Shandong Agriculture and Technology Forum is co-hosted by the Dazhong Rural Daily and the Israel-China Institute.  The Dazhong Rural Daily is the official voice of the national and provincial Communist Party on agricultural and related issues.  It is Shandong’s largest and most prestigious agriculture newspaper – with circulation of more than 300,000 readers per day, with 12 papers, journals and ancillary publications under its control. The Israel-China Institute has branches in Jerusalem and Jinan. ICI is dedicated to developing multi-leveled cooperation and partnership between Israel and China.

Forum co-sponsors include local and international chambers of commerce, professional associations, government and statutory authorities. We invite other parties and organizations to co-sponsor the event.

The Forum is administered by the Confucian Business Group www.confuciangroup.com, a boutique consulting firm based in Jinan, comprised of four senior partners, several overseas consultants and over twenty Jinan-based staff. CBG provides information and consulting, represents foreign companies in the province; headhunts skilled and professional staff for its clients; effects strategic introductions between clients and industry/ government leaders; provides marketing services; and other ongoing business support for its clients. CBG is the founding sponsor of the Israel Chamber of Commerce in Shandong and cultivates Israel-Chinese commerce in technology transfer.

Chinese Attendees Include

Communist Party Secretaries, Mayors, Vice Mayors and Bureau Chiefs for cities, districts and village level government departments; CEOs of leading agriculture companies; directors of professional and technical associations; presidents of universities, directors of university departments, research units and technical programs; professors and researchers, directors of government enterprises; representatives of investment banks; private investors and entrepreneurs; agriculture and machinery investment companies; marketing managers; export companies and traders; fruit and vegetable suppliers; chain supermarket representatives; food production executives.

Overseas Attendees Profile

Major delegation of Israeli agriculture and technology companies; representatives of European, American, Australian and Canadian agriculture, technology, machinery and research companies; university delegations; scientists and researchers, marketers; bankers and investors; heads of municipalities; distributors; professional consultants; engineers & technicians; researchers; agronomists; scientists; farm owners and farmers wishing to establish farms in Shandong; project managers; government representatives ; MBA and young entrepreneurs wishing to participate in the agriculture business in China; representatives of chambers of commerce; international trade and export companies seeking to make contacts in the agriculture industry.

Organizing Committee

The Shandong Agriculture and Technology Forum organizing committee consists of the chief editor of Dazhong Daily, Mr. Yong Gang Cui; Director of the Israel-China Institute, Prof. Avrum Ehrlich; Deputy Editor of Dazhong Daily, Mr. Cao Junren; senior partner at CBG Prof. Li Zhen; executive at the Israel Chamber of Commerce in Shandong Mr. Zhou Weiping; deputy director of Dazhong Daily rural edition, Mr. Wang Dezhen; Confucian Business Group technical director, Mr. Wang Wenlu. It is supported by CBG twenty + staff and Dazhong’s 1500+ journalists and tens of provincial offices and extensive resources and networks throughout the province.

The organizing committee undertakes to ensure the highest quality service to its overseas guests, including ensuring the attendance of leading figures and enterprises for partnership and collaboration, and personal introductions to relevant industry leaders, Communist Party and government officials and private entrepreneurs for fruitful discussion.

About the Program
The Forum will host approximately twenty sub-forums, each divided according to popular themes or by requests / needs of attending overseas delegations. Attendees are invited to submit a request to convene a sub-forum. The organizing committee undertakes to identify and invite suitable Chinese partners to attend their sub-forums.

The Organizing Committee is committed through contractual agreement to pay close personal attention to the needs of overseas companies to ensure they meet the ‘most desired’ potential collaborators, partners and people which can assist them in advancing cooperation.  By this undertaking, the organizers offer unique, unmatched and palpable collaborative opportunities for foreign companies wishing to penetrate Shandong Province and the regional economy.

Shandong Agriculture and Technology Forum welcomes additional proposals for sub-forums and/or lectures on any themes of interest to the diverse needs of Shandong Province’s agriculture, agri-tech, machinery, research, service, trade requirements.

Sub Forums Themes (subject to changes and mergers according to registration)

• Technology and Innovation
• Techniques, Services and Experience Exchange
• Products, Tools and Equipment
• Agricultural Machinery
• Fork Lift & Handling
• Greenhouses and Technology
• Solar Energy
• Software, Hardware, Computing and Electronic Supervision
• Bio Technology, Genetic Research and Applications
• Forestry
• Irrigation Systems
• Food Hygiene, Cold Storage, Preservation and Wrapping
• Fertilizers and Chemicals
• Disease and Pest Management
• University and Research Exchange
• Israel-China Technical Personnel and Expert Exchange Program
• Sister City Relations for Agriculture Development
• Turnkey Projects & Knowledge Transfer
• Rural Development
• Water Purification, Sewerage Treatment and Desalination
• Fish Farming and Aquaculture
• Animal Husbandry, Veterinary and Administration
• Livestock & Dairy
• Poultry
• Experimental Farming Opportunities (overseas farmers interested in establishing farms in China are especially encouraged to attend).
• Olive Farm Project
• Organic and Ecological Farming and Environmental Protection
• Seeds and Species
• Flowers and Floriculture
• Plant Propagation Material
• Irrigation & Water Management
• Plasti-culture and Organic Agriculture
• Plant Protection R&D
• Post Harvest Treatment
• Precise Agriculture
• Administration and Logistics
• Investors Forum
• Product Marketing & Export Services
• Kosher Agriculture Products Production and Export Industry in China

 Lectures

• Getting Chinese Government Assistance/ Subsidies in the Agriculture Industry (Director of the Shandong Bureau of Agriculture Subsidiaries)
• Fruit and Vegetable Export Industry in Shandong (Director of Shandong Trade and Export Bureau)
• Agriculture Investment Policies (Director of Shandong Investment and Commercial Bureau)
• National Priority Industries (Director of Food Safety)
• Foreign Investment in Shandong Agriculture (Director of Foreign Investment Bureau)
• Rural Development in China (Director of the Shandong Bureau for Rural Development).

Forums are one hour long and consist of three major presentations / addresses (ten minutes) with half an hour of discussion, question and answers.

Personal Introductions

Sessions of round table introductions between relevant people will take place throughout the day by personal invitation by the Organizing Committee.

Benefits of Participation

Registration includes: four high standard meals including one celebration feast; Shandong Province Award to a Foreign Agriculture Company or Scientist of Excellence (this is an important endorsement for foreign companies when dealing with government agencies in China); translation of technology or company profile and basic material into Chinese; publication of brief research/ company profile in the Dazhong Rural Daily (300,000+ readers/day); detailed publication of profile and products in Dazhong’s professional agriculture journal (government and executive readership); complete details and information in the forum’s own booklet (to be distributed to all participants); company / research profile will be made available in English and Chinese on Dazhong’s website, which will serve as an important point of contact with Chinese companies and organizations; media interviews; Short oral/visual presentation at a relevant sub-forum; at least five focused personal  introductions to CEOs and/or government leaders / scientists / collaborators of interest; personal translator/ assistant; free office support; on the spot technical discussions and the opportunity for signing agreements; post-forum travel arrangements to rural areas/ research centers/ factories/ sites and hospitality by government / academic institutions or private enterprise; one year’s information and business services provided with the cooperation of Dazhong Daily, Israel-China Institute and the Confucian Business Group.

Note: Vegetarian food available. Kosher food can be ordered from Beijing on request for additional costs.

VIP participation: Includes private strategic meetings with senior officials including Vice Governor of Shandong, Minister of Industry, Minister of Agriculture, Heads of Professional Unions/ Associations;  participation in the red carpet welcome and in the VIP room with the Vice Governor; front row seating at opening ceremony; short presentation at major forums; full profile of company in major media (newspaper, journal and television) outlets; banners and other publicity at the opening ceremony and sub forums and exposure to major media.

Costs

Regular Business Registration

Before August 15: US$230; Before September 15: US$260; After September 15: US$300; same day registration: US$350

Academics/ Scientists/ Researchers/ Experts: Registration and Participation is free.

VIP Registration

Before August 15: US$800; Before September 15: US$1000; After September 15: US$1500

For Further Information

www.confuciangroup.com, www.israelchinainstitute.com, www.dzwww.com,

Email: confuciangroup@gmail.com, israelchinainstitute@gmail.com

Tel: +86 15866647030, +86 13805403304, +972 546 204727

Dazhong Rural Daily

Israel-China Institute