Ep. 112: Being a Commercial Diplomat in China with Agnese Stūrmane

About Agnese Stūrmane

Agnese is a young ambitious professional with a Bachelor’s Degree in Asian Studies (Sinology) and an MBA from Xiamen University, who has started her professional career in China as an intern in an educational company, in 2011.

In 2015, after completing her Master’s Thesis on business opportunities for Latvian cosmetics manufacturers in China, Agnese started putting her academic training to practice and got hired as Business Development and Export Manager for a Latvian natural cosmetics brand.

In 2016, she started working for a Latvian translation agency in Beijing and in a year was promoted from a Project Manager to Country Manager, a position she held for a year.

In 2018, she has been appointed as Counsellor of Economic and Commercial Affairs and the Head of the Representative Office in China for Latvia’s Investment and Development Agency.

Episode Content:

We sometimes hear SME's complain on the support that can be provided by local representatives of their home country. Our experience has been positive when it comes to network, introductions and support. From a business side you of course have to make it happen, but a little push in the back often opens new doors. Especially as more and more diplomats have gained actual work experience in China, hence our interview with Agnese.

• Working in a traditional Chinese company for a Chinese boss
• Giving constructive feedback
• Chinese method of teaching MBA: selling real estate for your grade
• Asian negotiations
• Chinese perception on cosmetics: Korean vs. French brands
• The significance of language and translators
• Pitching a small country in China
• Most important things to consider before you start engaging a Chinese party
• When and why would you reach out to your commercial representative in China?
• Being quarantined in Latvia vs in China

Episode Mentions:

• Reach out to Agnese via agnese.sturmane@liaa.gov.lv or LinkedIn
• Website: http://www.investinlatvia.org
• 16+1 (CEEC+1): Central Eastern European Countries + China
• LIAA: Investment and Development Agency of Latvia
• Groglass - https://www.groglass.com/
• Find your host Lina on LinkedIN
• Find your host Simon on LinkedIN
• Join China Business Cast WeChat group

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