Campaign Statement
I have lived and worked in China for more than 20 years now. Ever since I first arrived in this great country in Suzhou and visited its beautiful gardens, China has never failed to amaze me. How fast peoples ́ lives have been improved! And of course many challenges and opportunities are still ahead from many dimensions and that’s why most of us remain here.
China may be the “Next China” as our friend Joe Ngai says at McKinsey, but the perceptions and risk tolerance levels have definitely changed in HQ’s and with U.S. government stakeholders. We must recognize that for many perception is reality and therefore we must use effective channels such as AmCham, to objectively articulate what we see on the ground.
Over the last 20+ years I have been working in China holding senior local, regional and global roles operating from Beijing and now Shanghai. Over this time, I have tried to build bridges of trust with stakeholders in China and abroad – both US and Europe. My observation is that there are very different opinions regarding China making it necessary for us to navigate stakeholders internally and externally. Under this scenario, experience matters, and trustable relationships are “golden”. I am committed to apply my experience and employ my relationships to bring objective clarity so that the policy decisions can be as well informed as possible.
I am also proud of AmCham’s newly refreshed Constitution that truly distinguishes our membership and how we operate in China. As a chairman’s circle member, I have benefited significantly and ask to further support AmCham’s engagement with stakeholders in China and the U.S. Your endorsement would be highly appreciated, and I will do my best to bring my experience, judgement, and commitment to a sustainable operating environment in China.
I would also add that while I am retiring from Merck in January, I will be on retainer for our Electronics materials business. In addition, I’ve signed on as the Senior Advisor to Advent International, a recognized PE firm focusing my efforts on Healthcare related opportunities. With the endorsement of our membership, I would like to contribute to AmCham’s mission at the critical time and remember well the value of being on the Board of Governors during my time at Pfizer.
Sincerely,
Al
Biography
During his two decades in China, Allan Gabor has served as an important leader in the pharmaceutical industry and actively promoted the development of China’s pharmaceutical industry. Through his efforts, Allan helped his company introduce many innovative drugs into China. At the same time, Allan has assisted in promoting the development of policies and measures in the Chinese pharmaceutical industry, expanded the accessibility of medical services, and actively shaped a favorable business environment to promote the growth of the pharmaceutical industry.
In recent years, Allan has vigorously promoted Merck’s investment in China, especially in the Yangtze River Delta region, which includes the Merck Nantong Pharmaceutical Factory, OLED Technology China Center (Shanghai), Merck Electronic Technology Center, and Advanced Semiconductor Integration Site in Zhangjiagang, enhancing local industry production capacity and R&D capabilities. He actively introduced new technologies and R&D products from the German headquarters, strongly supported the R&D innovation and development of the domestic display and semiconductor industry, and made active contributions to the technological transformation and upgrading of related industries in China.