BEIJING, December 10 /PRNewswire/ --

- Application Period Ends January 4, 2009

- METP, the Official EU-China Managers Exchange and Training Programme, Offers Executives the Possibility to Train as China Experts

Executives from EU-based companies and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) have the opportunity to apply for a fully-funded training scheme that will qualify them as China experts in 2009. Applications for the EU-China Managers Exchange and Training Programme (METP) can be submitted until January 4, 2009.

The joint programme sponsored by the European Union and China supports EU-based SMEs in their China business by offering a high-level training scheme. The EU-China Managers Exchange and Training Programme (METP) enables companies and non-governmental organisations to build up or further strengthen their business activities in China. The programme offers SMEs the possibility to train their employees for ten months to become experts on the Chinese market and Chinese business culture.

Long-term objective of METP is to enhance and to sustainably improve the EU's relationship with China through exchange and economic cooperation. Stefan Hell, Team Leader in Beijing: The main prerequisite for business success in China is a profound knowledge of economy, culture and business ethics. And this is what METP offers applicants. At the same time the programme functions as a platform where Europeans and Chinese meet and build long-term relationships - the basic foundation for successful business in China.

Besides the organisation of the whole stay, the EU will cover all tuition fees. METP will provide participants with a monthly living allowance (about 1.000 Euros). All graduates receive an official diploma signed by the EU Ambassador to China.

METP is a four-year initiative of the European Commission and the Chinese Government and is divided into four intakes, each lasting ten months. The application phase for METP 4 ends on January 4, the programme will begin in May 2009. Applicants should have no or only very limited knowledge of the Chinese language. While the priority of METP is on providing support to EU professionals from small and medium-sized companies, applications from candidates employed by larger firms can be considered, subject to space available.

For further information about application modalities, download instructions for the application dossier and for general information about METP visit http://www.metp.net.cn or contact the METP hotline at +49-69-15402-638.

The EU-China Managers Exchange and Training Programme (METP) is a four-year intergovernmental cooperation project between the European Commission and the Government of the People's Republic of China. Placed within the dynamic context of continuously evolving relations between the EU and China, the non-profit programme is designed to enhance business expertise by developing European and Chinese human resources. METP aims to train and financially support internships for 200 Chinese managers in the EU and 200 European managers in China. The programme is implemented by the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade from 2006 to 2010, and total funding from the EC and the Government of China is 23 million Euros.

Enquiries: PUBLICIS Consultants Deutschland Sarah von Hauenschild Tel: +49-69-15402-367 Fax: +49-69-15402-270 E-Mail: sarah.von.hauenschild@publicis-consultants.de

Enquiries: PUBLICIS Consultants, Deutschland, Sarah von Hauenschild, Tel: +49-69-15402-367, Fax: +49-69-15402-270, E-Mail: sarah.von.hauenschild@publicis-consultants.de