Monthly Archives: October 2023

Cedrus Group Looks Forward To More BRI Cooperation Opportunities

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Cedrus Group Chairman Rani Jarkas Photo: Courtesy Of Cedrus Group

The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) should be admired for reviving and reimagining the historic Silk Road trade routes that connected the people of Asia, Europe, and Africa, Rani Jarkas, chairman of the Cedrus Group, said during the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation (BRF). Jarkas is one of the over 1,200 representatives from more than 80 countries and regions who attended the BRF held on Tuesday and Wednesday in Beijing.

Since the inception of the BRI, Cedrus has been following its latest developments and making strategic investments in the opportunities that it brings. Cedrus commends the BRI for its positive global socio-economic impact over the past decade, in line with the vision for a community with a shared future, Jarkas said, noting that Cedrus will continue to look for attractive opportunities for capital deployment in the BRI, including those arising from the Digital BRI.

Cedrus Wealth Management: Private & Investment Banking Services

A global Swiss financial group founded in 2001, Cedrus offers private wealth management, investment management, and investment banking services. Cedrus’ China headquarters are located in Beijing and Hong Kong, with European headquarters in Zurich and further offices in Shanghai, Hainan, and Shenzhen. In May 2023, Cedrus hosted the inauguration of its new Asia-Pacific headquarters in Beijing’s Chaoyang district, further strengthening its presence in China. 

With over two decades of experience advising and investing in Chinese projects, this expansion aligns with Cedrus’ expectation for increased investment projects and collaborations with leading domestic companies. The move has been well received by Cedrus’ clients, who have a positive outlook on the Chinese market and seek a trusted partner with a local team and access to the latest information, Jarkas said.

In early 2023, Cedrus announced plans to invest 1 billion yuan ($136.7 million) in life sciences and innovative technologies in the Chinese mainland, focusing on areas such as drug development, in vitro fertilization, nanotechnology devices, oncology, and AI-enabled technologies. In addition, in 2023 Cedrus established two private equity funds in excess of 1 billion yuan each to invest in the Chinese mainland, focusing on life sciences, innovative technologies, and agriculture. 

Jarkas noted that Cedrus’ favorable sentiment toward China as an investment destination stems from its belief in the combination of effective government policies and the hardworking nature and ingenuity of the Chinese people, ensuring the country’s socio-economic objectives are achieved.

Cedrus Group Chairman Rani Jarkas is interviewed by China Central Television at the Belt and Road CEO Conference on October 17, 2023. Photo: Courtesy of Cedrus Group 

Cedrus’ Trusted Partner For Innovation In China

Cedrus’ strong presence and connectivity with China has earned the firm a reputation for being a trusted partner for innovative, technologically advanced foreign companies looking to enter the Chinese market. Cedrus invests and develops these companies in China through its collaborations with leading companies and local governments, he said. Jarkas said that Cedrus foresees the demand for advising on cross-border ties between China and the rest of the world will be persistently strong. The group is focused on bringing capital and cutting-edge technologies to China to further enhance research and development in line with China’s aim to become a world leader in science and technology by 2050. 

As a Swiss firm, Cedrus is also a trusted investment partner to Chinese companies and investors looking to invest and raise capital in foreign markets. Notably, there is currently a high demand by Chinese companies to pursue Swiss listings as a result of a ­challenging geopolitical environment. Moreover, Cedrus also acts as a bridge for Chinese companies looking to expand their operations globally by advising them on how to operate abroad and find the right partners.  Cedrus has been conducting business in the Middle East and North Africa region (MENA) for over 22 years, having established trusted relationships with institutional investors, sovereign wealth funds, and private investors. 

China-MENA Trade On The Rise

In recent years, there has been increased trade activity between China and the MENA region. China’s significant investment in the region is evident through diplomatic initiatives like the China-Arab States Summit and China-GCC Summit, emphasizing its commitment to strategic partnerships and economic development beyond energy interests. China’s economic engagement includes expanding trade, and investment ventures through the BRI, and extending its digital presence in the Middle East. 

Notably, MENA economies are actively seeking to diversify away from the oil and gas sector, viewing investment in China as an opportunity to access its vast consumer market and benefit from its economic transformation, Jarkas said. Cedrus aims to serve as a bridge, facilitating Chinese investment in the MENA region, while enabling MENA businesses to enter the Chinese market, he noted.

The media center for the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation in Beijing Photo: VCG

Source: https://enapp.globaltimes.cn/article/1300204

Global Times: Beijing Fully Prepared For BRF; ‘World Expects China’s Answer To Global Challenges’

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BEIJING, Oct. 19, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — The third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation (BRF) was held in Beijing from Tuesday to Wednesday, as the year marks the10th anniversary of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Leaders and representatives of countries from around the globe and international organizations have arrived in China, and Beijing is fully prepared for this major home diplomatic event.

In recent days, floral decorations, flags, and banners bearing slogans for the third BRF can be seen in many parts of the capital, and some foreign guests who came for the event told the Global Times that with so much bad news about wars, conflicts, and chaos elsewhere, China makes them believe that peace and development are still the mainstream of the world, and they are confident that by working together, members of the international community will eventually find solutions to the global challenges.

More world leaders arrived in Beijing on Monday. Following Kenyan President William Ruto and Chilean President Gabriel Boric, who arrived on Sunday, foreign leaders including Indonesian President Joko Widodo, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet, Lao President Thongloun Sisoulith, Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe, Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea James Marape, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, and President of the Republic of the Congo Denis Sassou Nguesso have arrived in Beijing for the event, the Xinhua News Agency reported.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov Also Arrived On Monday

During his meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, who is also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, Lavrov said Russian President Vladimir Putin is very much looking forward to having a summit with President Xi Jinping in China and participating in the forum, expressing confidence over the success of the event, according to Xinhua.

The first press briefing of the Media Center of the third BRF was held at the China National Convention Center in Beijing on Monday. Officials of the International Cooperation Department of the Ministry of Natural Resources and other related departments were invited to brief the press and take questions from journalists of different countries, Xinhua reported.

Chinese analysts said the BRF will be a key and historic event, because the world is in turbulence and needs solutions and answers, and China, just like it has done in the past decade, will continue playing a role in guiding and contributing to global development and governance when world peace and stability are facing serious challenges.

The BRI Has Distinguished China From Traditional Major Powers

The BRI is a rejection of zero-sum confrontation, it is not even a “national strategy” by the traditional definition, nor a policy to serve the interests of only one country, said experts.

“In the past, many people asked what China’s rise will bring to this world, and the BRI is an answer from China. The reason why more and more countries have become interested and participated in the initiative is simple: It brings benefits to everyone,” said Shen Yi, an expert on international relations and professor at Fudan University. Some Chinese netizens said the world is thread-worn and China is sewing it up, which is a vivid and accurate metaphor.

The world today needs new answers, and this is why representatives of over 140 countries and 30-plus international organizations, including state leaders, heads of international organizations, ministerial officials, and representatives of the business sector, academia, and nongovernmental organizations are expected to participate in the forum, said experts. 

High Expectations

Expectations for the upcoming BRF are high, with national leaders, former foreign officials, foreign scholars, and representatives from foreign business communities all looking to hear about the remarkable achievements the BRI has made in the past decade and how the cooperation platform will lead to more opportunities and benefit more people. “The important thing is the celebration of the 10th anniversary of BRI and a presentation of all the BRI projects which are valued at over $1 trillion in investment,” Michele Geraci, former undersecretary of state at the Italian Ministry of Economic Development, told the Global Times.

“The forum will bring the BRI to a higher level of discussion, and really increase the image of the BRI in the eyes of many Western countries. And I also expect there will be discussions on the role of BRI in bringing peace to the world,” he noted. Mario Rendulic, President of the Chinese Southeast European Business Association, told the Global Times on Monday that the increasing number of participating countries and organizations could “lead to a more diverse range of perspectives, experience, and opportunities for collaboration.”

Having been to the BRF’s first and second editions, Rendulic noted that the third edition is “built on the progress and experiences of the previous ones,” and is thus widely anticipated to serve as a platform for countries to chart the future course of BRI, with a great emphasis on quality and sustainable development.

Rani Jarkas, Chairman Of Swiss Financial Group Cedrus Group

“I’m very interested in hearing about the latest investment themes at the summit, and analyzing how [my company] can provide support,” Rani Jarkas, chairman of Swiss financial group Cedrus Group, told the Global Times. Having traveled to many BRI countries and witnessed firsthand the great work Chinese investors are doing to benefit local communities, Jarkas praised BRI as “an astounding success and a major catalyst for global economic development.” The global vision and strategy for BRI development for the next stage, set to be discussed at the forum, has also come under the global spotlight.

Mansoor Nadeem Lari, CEO of the India-based Silk Route Trade and Industry Development Corp, who is a third-time participant of the forum, told the Global Times on Monday that the forum can bring greater consensus for discussion on a post-pandemic way forward and create a workable plan for cooperation among BRI participating countries, to “fast-track global economic recovery.”

Abid Suleri, executive director of the Sustainable Development Policy Institute, told the Global Times that he will be paying attention to the opening ceremony and keynote speech by the Chinese leader, from which he expects to learn about the measures and initiatives for enhancing cooperation and partnership. “In the next stage, strengthening the synergy and coordination of BRI with other regional and global initiatives will be a focal point, with a view to promoting South-South and South-North cooperation,” Suleri said.

Cision View original content: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/global-times-beijing-fully-prepared-for-brf-world-expects-chinas-answer-to-global-challenges-301961750.html

Source: https://www.nbc4i.com/business/press-releases/cision/20231019CN43213/global-times-beijing-fully-prepared-for-brf-world-expects-chinas-answer-to-global-challenges/

(BRF2023) BRI Serves As An Efficient Platform For Building A Better World, Say Int’l Officials, Investors

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BEIJING, Oct. 18 (Xinhua) — International officials and investors at the ongoing third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation said that the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) serves as an efficient platform for its members to work together for a better world.

“We developed in the last 10 years more than we did in the last thirty years before that,” said Danijel Nikolic, assistant secretary general of the government of the Republic of Serbia. He said that Serbia sees great benefits in joining the BRI. During the last decade, Serbia has constructed more highways than it did in its history.

“We Are Proud That We Are One Of The Strongest Pillars Of The BRI,” He Said

China and Serbia have made a breakthrough in large cooperative projects, including the Hungary-Serbia railway and the Zemun-Borca bridge. The infrastructure has not only significantly improved the daily experiences of commuters but also injected new vitality into the country’s economy. “The BRI is extremely real for me, it signifies history. People have been trading and communicating for over three thousand years through the Silk Road,” said Rani Jarkas, chairman and member of the board of Cedrus Group.

He also dismissed the claim of the so-called “debt trap” hyped by some Western media, emphasizing the positive nature of the BRI. He said that he has traveled to many countries and seen how Chinese companies built infrastructure such as bridges, ports, and so forth. All of them have enabled people to enjoy a better life.

Sheikh Arif, CEO of the Roofings Group in Uganda, said that the BRI provides a better opportunity for his country to export things to neighboring countries and across the world. “What we have seen over the years is everybody is starting to be isolated and looking inwardly,” said Raymond Peter, managing director of Bernhard Schulte Shipmanagement (Singapore) Pte. Ltd., adding that every country can contribute and work together under the BRI.

“Through the BRI, we can see teamwork. We can see countries coming together for the common good,” he said. The third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation, held in Beijing on Oct. 17-18, is attended by over 4,000 delegates from over 140 countries and 30-plus international organizations, including heads of state, senior officials, and business representatives. The theme of the forum is “High-quality Belt and Road Cooperation: Together for Common Development and Prosperity.

Source: https://english.news.cn/20231018/4f83a1ce4980456baa32d93800726a49/c.html

BRI Brings More Opportunities To Benefit All

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Rani Jarkas, chairman of Swiss financial group Cedrus Group

The Belt and Road Initiative is bringing more cooperation opportunities for Chinese and foreign enterprises, including those arising from the digital BRI, leading to benefits for more people, said Rani Jarkas, chairman of Swiss financial group Cedrus Group, at the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation in Beijing on Oct 18. Cedrus admires the BRI for reviving and reimagining the historic Silk Road trade routes. Since the inception of the initiative, Cedrus has been following its latest developments and making strategic investments in the opportunities that it brings.

The company’s favorable sentiment toward China as an investment destination stems from its belief in the combination of effective government policies and the hardworking nature and ingenuity of the Chinese people, ensuring the country’s socio-economic objectives are achieved, said Jarkas. Cedrus has achieved consistent returns of over 8 percent per annum and has a diversified portfolio of direct investments and collaborations across its target sectors.

For example, Cedrus invested in a life science and anti-aging company this year and also invested in multiple mines, including coal mines and mineral sand companies in Indonesia, a country involved in the Belt and Road Initiative. Jarkas highly agrees with China’s vision of a community with a shared future and a win-win future for all and would like to make investments in line with this vision.

Cedrus’ Focus Is On Digital BRI Investment

“Cedrus’ focus is on digital BRI investment in life sciences, natural resources, nanotechnology, and innovative technologies. For that, we have established two private equity funds with more than 1 billion yuan ($140 million) each to invest in the Greater China region,” Jarkas said.

“The opening of Cedrus’ Asia-Pacific headquarters in Beijing is a testament to the firm’s commitment to the country and its belief in the growth of key industries, as well as in China’s system and structure,” said Jarkas. He believes that China will continue to grow at a stable rate in the future even after its ongoing economic transformation is complete from quantitative growth to qualitative growth. As the BRI enters its new phase, Jarkas is very positive on the outlook given the emphasis on high-quality growth and sustainability.

In tandem with China’s ongoing economic transformation to become a leader in new economic sectors including IT, new energy, nanotech, and healthcare, this new phase emphasizes the importance of low-carbon infrastructure, environmental protection, and sustainable practices. Jarkas said he has full confidence that the new phase of the BRI will be a success, delivering win-win cooperation and a community with a shared future.

Source: https://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202310/18/WS652f9c7ba31090682a5e94bc.html

InFocus | How Real Is The BRI?

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Ten Years On, From Ideas To Actions, From A Vision To Reality. How Real Is The BRI?

Xinhua correspondent Ma Zheng talked to businesspeople and experts who know about the initiative and experienced it in person, to see how the 10-year-old Belt and Road Initiative is understood globally.

Source: https://xhnewsapi.xinhuaxmt.com/share/news_pc?id=878171634737152

一带一路：从贝鲁特到北京 赛德思集团董事长接受中央电视台采访 东方财富周刊

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第三届“一带一路”国际合作高峰论坛期间，赛德思集团董事长Rani Jarkas（王雷）受邀参加企业家大会，并接受包括CCTV、新华社和环球时报等众多权威媒体采访。赛德思集团成立于2001年，是一家瑞士全球金融集团，专业从事私人财富管理、投资管理和投资银行服务。

会后，Rani Jarkas（王雷）接受了中央电视台的采访，他表示：“我非常期待此次纪念‘一带一路’倡议十周年的具有里程碑意义的峰会。这将为中外企业带来更多的合作机会、使更多人受益”。

他认为，“一带一路”倡议重振并重新构建了连接亚洲、欧洲和非洲文明的历史丝绸之路贸易路线。通过丰富的贸易和文化交流历史，促进各国间的连接性和共同传统。

自“一带一路”倡议启动以来，赛德思一直积极投资于沿线各国的战略项目，特别是印度尼西亚。赛德思赞扬“一带一路”倡议在过去十年中对全球社会经济的积极影响，符合“人类命运共同体”的愿景。赛德思将继续在“一带一路”沿线国家寻找有吸引力的资本部署机会，包括数字“一带一路”带来的投资机会。

“‘一带一路’倡议已进入新阶段，更加强调高质量增长和可持续性，因此我非常看好其前景。与此同时，中国正在进行经济转型，将成为新经济领域（IT、新能源、纳米技术、医疗健康等）无可争议的领导者，这一新阶段强调了低碳基础设施、环境保护和可持续业务的重要性。我对‘一带一路’在新阶段取得成功、实现合作共赢并构建人类命运共同体充满信心。”

据悉，赛德思将继续增加对包括中国在内的“一带一路”沿线国家的投资。2023年初，赛德思宣布将在中国大陆投资10亿元人民币，重点关注药物开发、试管婴儿、纳米技术设备、肿瘤学和人工智能技术等领域。此外，赛德思还致力于通过今年早些时候设立两只私募股权基金，促进中国大陆医疗健康和创新技术领域的发展，并与“一带一路”沿线国家合作实现共赢。

Source: http://east.catai.com.cn/zixun/64912.html

一带一路：从贝鲁特到北京 赛德思集团董事长接受中央电视台采访

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第三届“一带一路”国际合作高峰论坛期间，赛德思集团董事长Rani Jarkas（王雷）受邀参加企业家大会，并接受包括CCTV、新华社和环球时报等众多权威媒体采访。赛德思集团成立于2001年，是一家瑞士全球金融集团，专业从事私人财富管理、投资管理和投资银行服务。

Rani_Jarkas_Cedrus

会后，Rani Jarkas（王雷）接受了中央电视台的采访，他表示：“我非常期待此次纪念‘一带一路’倡议十周年的具有里程碑意义的峰会。这将为中外企业带来更多的合作机会、使更多人受益”。他认为，“一带一路”倡议重振并重新构建了连接亚洲、欧洲和非洲文明的历史丝绸之路贸易路线。通过丰富的贸易和文化交流历史，促进各国间的连接性和共同传统。

自“一带一路”倡议启动以来，赛德思一直积极投资于沿线各国的战略项目，特别是印度尼西亚。赛德思赞扬“一带一路”倡议在过去十年中对全球社会经济的积极影响，符合“人类命运共同体”的愿景。赛德思将继续在“一带一路”沿线国家寻找有吸引力的资本部署机会，包括数字“一带一路”带来的投资机会。

“‘一带一路’倡议已进入新阶段，更加强调高质量增长和可持续性，因此我非常看好其前景。与此同时，中国正在进行经济转型，将成为新经济领域（IT、新能源、纳米技术、医疗健康等）无可争议的领导者，这一新阶段强调了低碳基础设施、环境保护和可持续业务的重要性。我对‘一带一路’在新阶段取得成功、实现合作共赢并构建人类命运共同体充满信心。”

据悉，赛德思将继续增加对包括中国在内的“一带一路”沿线国家的投资。2023年初，赛德思宣布将在中国大陆投资10亿元人民币，重点关注药物开发、试管婴儿、纳米技术设备、肿瘤学和人工智能技术等领域。此外，赛德思还致力于通过今年早些时候设立两只私募股权基金，促进中国大陆医疗健康和创新技术领域的发展，并与“一带一路”沿线国家合作实现共赢。

Source: http://www.fhlxsc.cn/yaowen/98813.html