The current economic crisis has an impact all around the world. China is not spared out. Growth has slowed down, and domestic companies now face pressures previously unknown in a rapidly expanding economy. Nevertheless, some firms even now consider expanding their operations to conquer markets abroad. How can they go about this?

On the other side, with stagnant sales at home, foreign companies aim to get a greater share of the Chinese market to drive their growth. How can they best compete in this market?

Global problems and global competitions in a global economic crisis ? China is going global at a rapid pace. Innovate China 2009 aims to discuss questions from companies who are faced with this challenge from two perspectives:

At home: How can companies address the new challenges in China? What are the options to build more competitive businesses? How can growth be realized in the current environment? What are the options for horizontal and vertical integration, discovering new markets or moving up the value chain?

Abroad: How could Chinese firms expand outside of China during this crisis? Is this a good time? What should be the path of geographic expansion? Where are the areas of opportunity? 

Participating teams will be invited to the Grand Challenge held in June at the CEIBS campus in Shanghai. Over three days, each team will prepare and present a solution for the Grand Challenge question. At the final event, each team will present their solution to a team of judges who will determine the winner of the Innovate China 2009 Global Challenge.