What business leaders are watching at CIIE: Part I

1. What are the highlights of your exhibition at the China International Import Expo (CIIE)? Are you launching any new products, technologies or solutions?

ZEISS Group will bring exhibits spanning Research Microscopy Solutions, Industrial Quality Solutions, Medical Technology and Vision Care/Consumer Products areas at the same stage in China for the first time.

During the CIIE, we will introduce a series of cutting-edge innovations to our visitors. For example, we will showcase the unlaunched ZEISS CLARUS 500 in China for the first time. It is the next generation fundus imaging system that provides true color and high-resolution across an entire ultrawidefield image. It is conducive to the early diagnosis and treatment of ophthalmological diseases, which can help improve the patient’s life quality and relieve recent social pressure on the medical system.

In addition, we will also exhibit the ZEISS METROTOM for the first time in China. It ingeniously combines the function advantages of X-ray computed tomography and coordinate measuring machines, which can greatly help Chinese manufacturers raise their measuring efficiency as well as shorten the R&D cycle.

2. In terms of deals, what are you expecting from the CIIE? Who are you targeting?

The CIIE provides a historic development opportunity for us and other multinational corporations in the China market. As the pioneer in optics and optoelectronics, ZEISS has delivered leading technologies and innovation strength in the fields of measuring technology, microscopes, medical technology, eyeglass lenses, semiconductor manufacturing equipment and so on. By showcasing our star products at the CIIE, we can take full advantage of this opportunity to connect closely with local customers, introduce them to our cutting-edge products and solutions, enhance intraindustry communications, and further, we can facilitate the development of industries like high-end manufacturing, healthcare and basic science research.

I believe that the CIIE will become the amplifier and propeller for ZEISS to better serve the China market and local customers with our innovative products as we diversify their applications. And I can say that I am optimistic about the results of deals during the CIIE.

3. Do you think the CIIE could eventually help drive the development or upgrade of the industry your company is in, and your company’s strategy in China?

The CIIE facilitates countries and regions all over the world to strengthen economic cooperation and trade. As it promotes global trade and world economic growth, it is further opening the world economy and providing ZEISS and other multinational corporations with a valuable opportunity.

First, the CIIE offers the opportunity for various companies to showcase their cutting-edge products and solutions. It serves as an industry arena for every player to compete on technology, innovation and more. As a pioneer in the optics and optoelectronics industries, ZEISS is confident and proud to exhibit here.

Second, the CIIE gathers together a good deal of purchasing demand. Leveraging the expo, we can better connect with our customers, know their needs, and thus provide them with customized ZEISS offerings and enable their success.

In addition, the CIIE promotes economic globalization that is open, inclusive, comprehensively beneficial, balanced and win-win, building an open world economy and promoting global trade growth. That’s a good signal for us multinationals to keep developing in the China market with the improving business environment.

4. What’s your view on China’s pledge to further open up its markets to foreign companies? How would that benefit your business? Please give specific examples.

China’s sustained efforts to deepen reform, and improve the investment environment for foreign companies allow multinational enterprises to evolve and diversify in China.

ZEISS’s history in China dates back to 1957. From entering as a trading company to establishing regional headquarters for sales, manufacturing and innovation, ZEISS’s growth in China is aligned with the China market trends of being more open, inclusive and dynamic, thanks to the reform and opening-up policy.

Since the establishment of the Shanghai FTZ (a symbol of China’s reform and opening-up), a substantial number of measures have been announced to further simplify the administrative process in many critical areas such as trade, tax and financial services. These have enabled ZEISS to increase our efficiency and lower costs to stay competitive in the Chinese market. For example, we have already achieved substantial improvements in inbound and outbound dispatching speed, with improvements of over 30 percent in reduction of working and processing time.

5. What is your forecast for China’s economy in the next three years? What key issues will you be watching?

In recent years, China's market has been continuously expanding in size and increasing market opportunities. Thanks to China's booming market, we have been able to leverage our strengths in global technical resources, diversified solutions and industry experience to carry out all-around cooperation with our partners.

Alongside the country’s stabilized economy, the government’s plan is to push for high-quality social and industrial development. We have seen a lot of progress as the Made in China 2025, Medical Reform and national plan for scientific and technological innovation policies have been implemented. This is actually offering us a lot of growth opportunities as ZEISS is primarily active in healthcare, research, vision care and industrial quality. These are all sectors of the Chinese economy that are growing above the average. With full confidence in China’s long-term economic prosperity and vibrancy, ZEISS will take concrete action to fully integrate into the local ecosystem and grow with the Chinese market.