Israeli manager sows the seeds of success

He said one of the similarities between China and the Israeli people is the long tradition and heritage based on thinking, wisdom and, to an extent, a peaceful way of achieving progress through communication, dialogue and the facilitation of agreement.

Chen Lichtenstein

Respecting individuals and family values serves as another connection between Chinese and Jewish cultures, he said. A third common point, which builds upon the others, is thoughtful leadership.

"I do not feel I am representing a culture that is conflicting with the Chinese culture when operating in China," he said.

"The Jewish people have almost always been a minority, and found ways to work with other cultures."

The fact that CNAC is acting as a modern SOE, with a vision based on innovation, and identifying as core values the thinking and energy of talented people, is very much alive, he said.

Building something from basic foundations is similar to the creation of Israel, which started things without much in the way of national resources such as land, water and oil.

The former executive director of investment banking at the Goldman Sachs Group Inc, who, before joining MAI, worked for years in London, prioritizes execution over other elements of management.

"The focus now is not to lose time," he said. "It is centered on acting and implementing our vision and plan."

The integration will continue following the transaction. It will consist of their culture, systems, commercial and other aspects, in the coming years.

Asked about difficulties faced in conducting major business transactions like this, he said there are always challenges. But such post-transaction issues are neither down to the Chinese nor to the Israelis.

"When people start working together, they need to choose one way of doing things and take decisions about how to address challenges. But most importantly, they need to do so in a fair and transparent way," he said.

"One needs to address the challenges, not avoid or disregard them."

In his view, ChemChina and CNAC are unique in their approach, because not many large global groups can accommodate and thrive through partnership-based ownership structures.

"Not all entities within ChemChina are wholly owned by the group. ChemChina has well-established partners in China and globally," he said.

Such partnerships sometimes exist in China, yet not on the scale and significance that ChemChina succeeded in creating.

"In many cases, one doesn't see such open-mindedness, commitment and ability to progress things in China and globally as I found in this group," he said.