Shanghai Launches RMB Investment Fund

21 February 2012

The Shanghai government-owned Shanghai International Group has led a group of official and private investors to establish a substantial renminbi (RMB)-denominated fund that targets the financing of Chinese corporate investment overseas.
The RMB50bn (USD7.9bn) Sailing Capital International fund, which was set up on February 16, 2012, is expected to leverage some RMB150bn of total investments, or three times its original principal, by linking with bank finance.
It is hoped that the fund will aid both institutional investors and corporates in diversifying into overseas investments, and prioritize those investments that are priced and settled in RMB, as part of the globalization of the currency. In addition, it should encourage domestic companies to look at overseas expansion, possibly through mergers and acquisition opportunities.
The fund is also being looked on as part of the stated official intention that Shanghai will be a centre for onshore RMB trading, clearing and pricing by 2015, before it becomes an international financial centre by 2020.
A comprehensive report in our Intelligence Report series giving a country-by-country analysis of offshore investment funds, stock exchanges and trusts, with an analysis of the US QI regime, is available in the Lowtax Library at http://www.lowtaxlibrary.com/asp/subs_reports.asp and a description of the report can be seen at  http://tourism9.cm/    http://vkins.com/

Walmart Global eCommerce Announces Increased Investment in Yihaodian

BENTONVILLE, Ark., Feb. 19, 2012 /PRNewswire/ – Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (NYSE: WMT – News) announced today that it has reached an agreement to increase its investment in the holding company of Yihaodian, a fast-growing eCommerce website in China, to bring Walmart’s total ownership stake to approximately 51 percent.  Closing of the transaction is subject to Chinese government regulatory approval.
Launched in July 2008, Yihaodian offers more than 180,000 SKUs and has achieved a significant position in online grocery sales, as well as in categories such as baby/mom, consumer electronics and apparel.  With 5,400 employees and an existing logistics network based in Shanghai, Beijing, Guangzhou, Wuhan and Chengdu, Yihaodian is serving a growing customer base with same-day and next-day delivery of essential daily items at competitive prices.
Neil Ashe, President and CEO of Walmart Global eCommerce, said, “This investment further enables Walmart to deliver a superb customer experience to Chinese consumers that are already connected to the world through smart phones and social media. We are on track to create the next generation of eCommerce, offering the latest in online innovations to give our customers a unique shopping experience.”
“We are very impressed with Yihaodian’s strong management team, solid competence in supply chain management and, like Walmart, they are committed to outstanding service to their customers,” Ashe continued. “Our further investment in Yihaodian demonstrates that we are committed to investing in China in a key growth industry and developing all that goes with it:  logistics, infrastructure, innovative talent and new technologies that will help China meet its development goals.  In addition to contributing to China’s eCommerce goals, with our increased investment in Yihaodian, we are pleased to be able to further contribute to China’s domestic consumption, help stabilize prices, and advance expansion in the middle and western regions.”
Gang Yu, co-founder and chairman of Yihaodian, said, “Walmart not only brings us nearly 50 years of retailing experience and history, but also innovative technology and eCommerce solutions that will help us better meet our customers’ needs. Their excellence in supply chain will enable us to improve our customer experience and operational efficiency.” 
Junling Liu, co-founder and CEO of Yihaodian, said, “More than an investment of funds, Walmart will share its knowledge and technology together with its best-in-class practices in retail and transfer them to Yihaodian’s existing organization, leveraging these synergies with our local market expertise to deliver enhanced product offerings, lower prices and a better shopping experience for our customers.”
Ruisheng Sheng, spokesperson for Ping An Group, said, “Ping An welcomes the investment from Walmart. We continue to be a strategic investor in this exciting eCommerce business. With Walmart’s and Ping An’s strategic partnership and with the vision and leadership of the current management, we believe that Yihaodian will better serve Chinese consumers.”
About WalmartWal-Mart Stores, Inc. (NYSE: WMT – News) serves customers and members more than 200 million times per week at over 10,000 retail units under 69 different banners in 28 countries. With fiscal year 2011 sales of $419 billion, Walmart employs 2.1 million associates worldwide. Walmart continues to be a leader in sustainability, corporate philanthropy and employment opportunity. Additional information about Walmart can be found by visiting http://walmartstores.com and on Twitter at http://twitter.com/walmart. Online merchandise sales are available at http://www.walmart.com and http://www.samsclub.com.
About YihaodianLaunched in 2008, Yihaodian has become one of the leading B2C e-commerce companies in China. Offering more than 180,000 products, Yihaodian runs logistics centers in Shanghai, Beijing, Guangzhou, Wuhan, and Chengdu, along with delivery stations in 34 cities across China.  Yihaodian is one of the fastest growing companies in China, and  has earned first place for Deloitte Technology Fast500 Asia Pacific and first place for China Entrepreneur Magazine’s Future Stars of China Enterprises in 2011. Through innovation, Yihaodian is committed to bringing its customers a new lifestyle of one-stop online shopping and services with superior experience. For more information, please visit www.yihaodian.com.
About Ping An GroupPing An Insurance (Group) Company of China, Ltd (Hong Kong Stock Exchange under stock code “2318″& Shanghai Stock Exchange under “601318″) was established in 1988 in Shekou, Shenzhen. The Group is the first insurance company in China to have a shareholding structure. Today it has developed into an integrated financial services conglomerate with three core businesses: insurance, banking, and investment.  Ping An was ranked No.147 in Forbes’ Global 2000 league table, No.107 in The Financial Times Global 500 list, and No.328 in Fortune Magazine’s Global 500 Leading Companies ranking and No.1 among China’s non-State owned enterprises. For more information please visit www.pingan.com.http://tourism9.com/    http://vkins.com/

Research and Markets: Travel and Tourism in China, Key Trends and Opportunities to 2015

DUBLIN–(BUSINESS WIRE)– Research and Markets (http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/15c238/travel_and_tourism) has announced the addition of the “Travel and Tourism in China, Key Trends and Opportunities to 2015″ report to their offering.
In terms of global inbound tourist volume, China is the world’s third-most attractive travel and tourism destination, behind the US and France. Over the review period, China hosted major international events such as the 2008 Summer Olympic Games, the Asian Games and the Shanghai Expo that resulted in increased volumes of inbound tourists. The industry has also benefited from China’s strong economic growth, which resulted in generally higher levels of disposable income and increased expenditure on leisure and business tourism.
Over the forecast period, the Chinese Government is planning to invest a total of CNY7.3 trillion in an attempt to upgrade the country’s transportation infrastructure. This infrastructure investment is also expected to drive growth in the Chinese tourism industry. Over the forecast period, BRICdata expects China’s total tourist volume to record a CAGR of 9.25%, increasing from a total of 2,429.3 million in 2011 to a total of 3,461.4 million in 2015.
About This Report:
The report titled “Travel and Tourism in China, Key Trends and Opportunities to 2015″ provides top-level market analysis, information and insights, including:

• Historic and forecast market sizes covering the entire Chinese travel industry
• Detailed analysis of tourist spending patterns in China
• Descriptions and market outlooks for various sectors in the Chinese tourist industry, such as transportation, accommodation and travel intermediaries
• Detailed market classification across each sector with analysis using similar metrics
• Profiles of top travel and tourism companies in China

Companies Mentioned:

• China Auto Rental Inc.
• eHi Auto Services Co. Ltd
• HK CTS Hotels Co. Ltd.
• Marriott China
• China Odyssey Tours
• China Connection Tours
• WildChina
• Travel China Guide
• Royal Caribbean China
• China Railways

Reasons to Buy:
This report provides an extensive analysis of the travel and tourism market in China. The information provided will allow you to:

• Take strategic business decisions using top-level historic and forecast market data related to the Chinese travel and tourism industry and each sector within it
• Understand the demand and supply-side dynamics within the Chinese travel and tourism industry, along with key market trends and growth opportunities
• Assess the competitive landscape in the travel and tourism market in China, and formulate effective market-entry strategies
• Identify the growth opportunities and industry dynamics within the tourism industry’s key categories, including transportation, accommodation and travel intermediaries

For more information, including full table of contents, please visit http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/15c238/travel_and_tourism

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