Topic 2012: Investments in Real Assets
This year's topic: Investments in Real Assets.
Real assets in China have hardly been accessible in the past. Despite this fact, China is currently the largest real estate market in the world and the biggest producer of many commodities. Until recently, the only way to invest in real assets was through foreign direct investment. For foreign investors, the opportunity to invest in real assets was thus very limited. By loosening regulation, the Chinese authorities will be able to attract larger numbers of, and more global investors who wish to invest in the Chinese real investment asset class.
Viewed from the opposite perspective, inflation protection and a low correlation to the stock markets make real assets the most preferred form of investment for Chinese investors. This preference is also applicable for their investments overseas. Overseas real estate investment in the form of direct investments, real estate investment trusts (REITs) will certainly catch the eyes of many private Chinese investors. For institutional investors, strategic investments in commodities in the form of physical trading and mining (physical direct investment) is a very recent topic and it will discussed what investment opportunities and cooperation opportunities Europe can offer the ambitious Chinese investors.
The Sino-European Business Conference aims to narrow the gap between Chinese and European business interaction and understanding. As a platform for intercultural and interdisciplinary exchange, each of the annual conference days focuses on a different topic, thoroughly engaged by 100 exclusive participants from both China as well as Europe. Organised by a student, non-profit organisation in collaboration with the Asia Research Center at the University of St. Gallen, Switzerland, the Sino-European Business Conference is an event rooting in former China Symposia and with strong links to both European as well as Chinese business and academia.
"As an independent team of students we aim to create a unique conference focussing on China and Europe. The Sino-European Business Conference stands for intercultural and interdisciplinary exchange in order to bridge the gap between Asia and Europe in terms of business operations. We distinguish ourselves from conventional business conferences by providing an unparalleled experience and interesting acquaintances in a cross-functional environment."