Gabriel Group is not a typical China sourcing agency. What sets us apart from both local and global competitors is our formal economic background in this field, combined with a deep understanding of the Chinese business environment—built on academic research and years of on-the-ground experience.
Academic Expertise Applied in Practice
Josip Glušac, founder of Gabriel Group, holds a degree in economics and completed his master’s thesis on the topic “How to Lobby in the People’s Republic of China.”
His research covers:
- The Chinese decision-making system (Party, Parliament, Government, Military).
- Guanxi (关系) – the traditional system of relationships and how it functions today.
- The role of business associations (chambers of commerce, industry groups).
- Practical guidance for lobbying and representing business interests in China.
Building on this academic foundation, Josip has been living and working in China since 2008—initially in Guangzhou, and since 2019 in Sanya (Hainan).
Multilingual Communication
In addition to Mandarin Chinese, Josip is fluent in English and German. Having studied economics at an international university, his master’s thesis was written in English and is used as a reference resource for companies seeking to better understand lobbying and the business environment in China.
From Theory to Practice
This expertise is not just theoretical—it is actively applied in real projects:
Wine Export to China
By leveraging guanxi principles and deep market knowledge, we successfully introduced Croatian wines to the Chinese market. A cooperation agreement was signed in the presence of the Croatian ambassador to China.
Read more →Hainan Free Trade Port
In 2019, we relocated our headquarters to Sanya (Hainan), anticipating the development of the Hainan Free Trade Port. Today, we help companies benefit from its customs and tax advantages.
Learn more →Read Part of the Master’s Thesis
If you are interested in a deeper analysis of lobbying in China, explore selected excerpts from the thesis covering:
- Definitions and categories of lobbying (legal, legitimate, ethical).
- The structure of China’s political system and decision-making process.
- The evolution and role of guanxi in modern China.
- The function of business associations.
- Practical strategies for lobbying in China.
Why This Matters for Your Business
Most China sourcing agents focus solely on logistics. We go beyond that. We understand:
- How China’s political and business systems operate.
- How to build long-term relationships (guanxi).
- How to navigate administrative and regulatory processes.
- How to effectively represent your interests in China.
This means we do more than manage imports and exports—we help you build sustainable, long-term business relationships in China.
Back to overview: About Us – Gabriel Group and Uvoz iz Kine