MONDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2009

CORPORATE PROGRAM: FOCUS ON CHINA

ADVANCE REGISTRATION IS NOW CLOSED. PLEASE REGISTER AT THE DOOR.

INVESTING IN CHINA: WHAT NEXT FOR AMERICAN FIRMS?

Michael Froy, Partner and Cochair, Capital Markets Practice, Sonnenschein Nath & Rosenthal LLP
Zachary Karabell, President, River Twice Research
Daniel Rosen, Visiting Fellow, Peterson Institute for International Economics, and Principal, Rhodium Group

As President Obama prepares for his first official visit to Beijing in mid-November, trade and business relations are at the forefront of the U.S.-China relationship.  While bilateral trade has grown exponentially during the past thirty years of open diplomatic relations, China’s international openness is challenged by the country’s priority of domestic stability in a time of global recession. Tightening of regulations and restrictions to protect domestic companies may mean a more difficult road for foreign direct investment, such as cross-border mergers and acquisitions. The recent situation with Rio Tinto in China, with Rio Tinto employees accused of espionage and the company subsequently pulling foreign staff out of country, is foreboding for companies who already have or would like to make long-term investments in China. And it is uncertain whether Chinese protectionist measures will actually help their domestic economy, or serve to curb their remarkable growth. Join us as a panel of experts analyzes the overall investment climate in China.

Michael Froy is a managing partner of Sonnenschein’s business and regulation department and cochair of its capital markets practice, as well as a board member of The Chicago Council. Froy actively counsels companies in Asia and throughout the world on general corporate and securities matters, including for the recent public stock offering of Fuqi International, one of China’s leading manufacturers and retailers of gold jewelry.

Zachary Karabell is president of RiverTwice Research, where he analyzes economic and political trends, as well as senior advisor for Business for Social Responsibility. Previously, he was executive vice president, head of marketing, and chief economist at Fred Alger Management, a portfolio manager of the China-U.S. Growth Fund. His new book, Superfusion: How China and America Became One Economy and Why the World’s Prosperity Depends on It, will be available for sale at the event.

Daniel Rosen is the principal at Rhodium Group, LLC, a specialized practice helping decision-makers in the public and private sectors analyze and understand commercial, economic and policy trends in greater China. From 2000 to 2001, Rosen was senior advisor for international economic policy at the White House National Economic Council, where he played a managing role in completing China’s accession to the World Trade Organization.

Additional Material:

• “Impenetrable: Selling foreign goods in China,” The Economist, October 15, 2009

The Chicago Club
81 East Van Buren Street
Chicago, IL 60605
Business attire is required.

5:30 p.m.  Registration and Cash Bar Reception
6:00 p.m.  Remarks and Q & A
7:15 p.m.  Adjournment

Corporate Members $10
Members $20
Nonmembers $30

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