A PROFILE OF SPANISH FIRMS IN CHINA: REASONS TO SET UP BUSINESS AND FUTURE PERSPECTIVES

Abstract

Our objective in this paper is to analyse which Spanish businesses are operating within China, what are their reasons to be in this country, study their difficulties and list out their priorities for the next years. Reasons for satisfaction and dissatisfaction are also analysed. Spanish firms operating in China are mostly in the services sector (56%), and particularly in the areas of professional services, such as advertising, legal advice, consulting, etc. Almost half of the Spanish businesses establish themselves in the Shanghai area. Contrarily to what is usually believed, most firms set up business in China to access the market, and not to employ low cost labour. In terms of continuity, the answer is almost unanimous: most Spanish firms plan to stay in the country for the next years. Their main interest lies in the access to the opportunities of this vast market.