IE University & China Federation of Industrial Economics signed a MoU to promote exchange and cooperation between China and the West in various fields

On the 25th November 2019 in Beijing, Mr. Xiong Meng, Executive Vice President and Secretary General of the China Federation of Industrial Economics (hereinafter “CFIE”) and with Professor Gonzalo Garland, Vice President of IE University, Spain officially signed a bilateral agreement to promote the partnership in the area of business and technology, cultural exchanges and education, as well as human capital development between China and Spain.

The Memorandum of Understanding signed by both parties is to align and enhance the mission of the Belt & Road Initiative, as well as to increase opportunities in economic and trade cooperation, scientific and technological innovation, cultural exchange and academic education between China and Spain. This joint effort will establish a closer collaborative relationship between the two countries.

IE University is one of the leading higher education institutions in Europe. It has invested more than 25 million euros in the education sector over the last 15 years, and investment will be doubled, to 50 million euros, in the next few years in education technology to equip and support the future business leaders in the era of digital transformation.

In 2016, CFIE launched and established the Belt & Road Industrial and Commercial Alliance (BRICA), with the mission of exploring the business and investment opportunities for member countries, focusing on how to tap the BRICA cooperation framework to promote economic and trade cooperation for BRICA country members.

“We hope that through the strategic partnership with CFIE, the visibility of Chinese companies in Spain will be enhanced, and Chinese companies will get to know more about Spain.”

Gonzalo Garland said in an interview: “Since the establishment of IE University, the relationship with China has always been important. We have achieved partnerships with many universities in China at different levels. China has achieved great economic success and it is known by the rest of the world. There is increasing interest in Europe, and we are seeking more opportunities to collaborate with China at all levels. President Xi Jinping’s Belt & Road Initiative also reflects mutual enthusiasm from China.” Gonzalo Garland added: “We hope that through the strategic partnership with CFIE, the visibility of Chinese companies in Spain will be enhanced, and Chinese companies will get to know more about Spain.”

According to the partnership agreement, the CFIE and IE University will jointly organize a series of activities, which include:

• Training courses in China: The two parties will jointly organize training courses in the subject of business and investment opportunities, technology innovation and industrial digitalization. The target audiences will be Chinese government officials, China Federation of Industrial Economics members and enterprises, BRICA members, CEOs and senior executives.
• Business and study visits to Spain: The two parties are working together to plan and arrange business and study visits for Chinese government officials, members of the CFIE, members of BRICA, CEOs and senior executives interested in business and investment opportunities in Spain. Business trips will focus on technological innovation, industrial digitization, comparisons between Chinese and Western start-ups, potential opportunities in the financial sector, financial technology and relevant legislation and regulations regarding doing business in Spain.

About the China Federation of Industrial Economics

The China Federation of Industrial Economics is a joint organization of the National Industrial Associations, and has 214 members. It is based on the principles of complying, positioning, transforming and innovating, as well as promoting a new think tank model and industrial synergy and international cooperation. The CFIE aims to become an influential new think tank platform both domestically and internationally. CFIE is striving to build a first-class international organization. CFIE’s goal is to actively promote the transformation of China's industrialization, industrial science park and technology innovation, based on market research. CFIE is also open to sharing insights with government bodies and to provide advice for the process of government decision-making. Through the “5+1” model, which are “Think Tank + Alliance + Exhibition + Fund + Industry Park”, CFIE is dedicated to vigorously promoting industrial synergy, exchange and cooperation with industry and commerce associations from all over the world, while striving to promote the Belt & Road Initiative to leverage resources and provide the best service and quality to its members.