On September 9 in Shanghai, Calyon celebrated its 111 years of uninterrupted presence in China. The event provided the occasion early in the evening to remind attendees of the opening of the new subsidiary, Calyon (China) Limited, which is taking over the activities of the former branches.

 

More than 300 guests attended the reception. They included representatives of large Chinese and French companies, the clients and financial partners of Crédit Agricole’s joint ventures in China, Chinese and French officials and clients of the Hong Kong branch of Crédit Agricole Suisse.

 

Patrice Couvegnes, the Head of Calyon in Asia and the Chairman of Calyon (China) Limited, officially opened the large gathering with an introduction to China’s place in Asia.

 

Next, Alain Massiera, the Deputy Chief Executive Officer of Calyon, made a presentation on the Group’s presence in China. He then proceeded with the inauguration ceremony for the new subsidiary, accompanied by Chinese officials and Calyon staff in China.

 

François Rameau and Philippe Pellegrin, respectively Senior Country Officer of Calyon in Hong Kong and in Taiwan, were present given the numerous commercial interactions.

In 1898, a branch of Banque d’Indochine, which subsequently became Banque Indosuez and then Crédit Agricole Indosuez, began operations in Shanghai. It was one of the first foreign financial establishments in China. For more than a century Crédit Agricole Indosuez, Crédit Lyonnais and CLSA developed their business in numerous cities. The Bank currently has a staff of 150 professionals in five locations in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Tianjin and Xiamen, as well as a representative office in Shenzhen.