Exclusive interview: China's steady economic development brings rare opportunities
Original title Interview: China's steady economic development brings rare opportunities - Interview with Laurent Birelle, Chairman and CEO of the international auto parts giant France Biou Group
Xinhua News Agency, Paris, August 13 Interview: China's steady economic development brings a rare opportunity -- visit international auto parts giant France Biou Group chairman and CEO Laurent Birelle
Xinhua News Agency reporter Li Genxing
International auto parts giant France Biou Group Chairman and CEO Laurent Birelle recently in Paris to the Xinhua News Agency reporter interview said, In recent years, China's economy has developed steadily and the Chinese market has flourished, which provides a rare opportunity for the company to flourish. He is full of confidence in the role of China's economy in driving global economic development and full of expectations for the Chinese economy.
"In the first half of this year, Peou achieved 6% growth in China and turnover reached 268 million euros (about 1.983 billion yuan), accounting for 8% of the group's total," Burelle told reporters. "The results of PEou are enough to show that China is one of the most important regions for global economic growth. "Therefore, I continue to be optimistic about China, which is currently the world's largest automotive market, and I am confident that we will also be proud of our performance in China in the second half of the year with strong consumer demand."
According to the materials provided by BIou, since it entered the Chinese market in 2007, Biou Group has established 22 factories and 2 R & D centers, which are mainly engaged in the development and production of lightweight energy-absorbing bumper components, fender modules and front and rear panels made of new engineering plastics. As well as auto parts such as safety, energy saving and emission reduction fuel systems, including fuel tanks.
At present, Biou has nearly 5,000 employees in China, of which about 10 percent are scientific researchers. In 2015, Biou's turnover in China accounted for 8.5 percent of its global turnover that year, reaching 510 million euros (about 3.78 billion yuan), an increase of 21 percent compared with 2014.
"Last year, our performance in China exceeded expectations, this year is also very promising, and the next few years will be even better. I am very optimistic about the development of the Chinese auto market, and also very important. In recent years, we have adapted to the Chinese market and reasonably shared the global dividends of win-win cooperation with Chinese companies, "Birelle told reporters with confidence.
Founded in 1946, the French Biou Group is one of the major enterprises in the international auto parts industry, accounting for 10% of the global market share. It currently has about 120 factories and more than 20 research and development centers in many places around the world, with a total turnover of 5.982 billion euros (about 44.267 billion yuan) in 2015.
"Our goal is to increase the annual turnover of the Chinese market to 1 billion euros (about 7.4 billion yuan) by 2018. To achieve this goal, Biou will actively participate in the transformation and upgrading of China's automotive industry to "smart automotive manufacturing" by establishing 3 more factories in China, bringing the total number to 25, covering seven major automotive manufacturing regions in China, including Shenyang, Beijing, Yantai, Shanghai, Wuhan, Guangzhou and Chongqing; At the same time, in line with the development of the new energy market, 6 percent of the operating income will be allocated to the research and development of products compatible with new energy vehicles every year, "said Birelle.
He believes that Biou's prosperous development in China is a strong proof that the general trend of China's economic development is healthy, reassuring and can share dividends.
When asked about his expectations for the Hangzhou G20 Summit, Burelle said that China, as the world's second largest economy, plays a pivotal role in the global economy and even guides the direction. The world can no longer live without China. At the same time, as an emerging market, China needs the world. We believe that under the G20 framework, China will engage in dialogue and coordination with other countries, accommodate differences, generate new innovation-led vitality, and work together to get out of the current difficulties facing the world economy.