Combination of online and offline a new trend for global business in the post-pandemic era: AmCham South China

 Update:2021-10-14    Source: Newsgd.com

When talking about the coming Canton Fair, Dr. Harley Seyedin, President of the American Chamber of Commerce in South China (AmCham South China), can’t help praising the combination of online and offline formats. “I think without one, the other one doesn't work right now. So the combination is the future for global business.”

The 130^thsession of the China Import and Export Fair, also known as the Canton Fair, will kick off tomorrow (Oct 15) in offline and online forms for the first time.

Since first participating in the Canton Fair in 1992, Seyedin expressed his eager expectation for the coming Canton Fair. He said in a recent interview with GDToday that due to the COVID-19, the global economy is still facing uncertainty. Still, most members of his chamber of commerce are optimistic about the growth of the Chinese market and look forward to the coming Canton Fair to continue to build the Sino-US trade bridge.

Change the way how to do business

According to Seyedin, the Canton Fair has always been a place twice a year where people come to see what's going to be available for them to sell next year. However, due to the COVID-19, most international buyers can’t go to Guangzhou. Luckily, most of the shopping has been moved online, so has the Canton Fair. “It has changed the way how to do the business.”

It’s not so easy for international buyers, especially those with massive amounts of orders. Seyedin indicated that western buyers prefer face-to-face trade because they can touch and feel the products by themselves. Online shopping can’t provide this kind of service.

As for international buyers, the integrated online and offline Fair has advantages of traditional face-to-face trade to build trust and reach a deal. In addition, it follows the development trend of the digital economy that helps to satisfy the various needs of enterprises around the world.

"That's why now the government has learned how actually to have a combination of online-offline fairs,” said Seyedin.

This year, AmCham South China has organized an exclusive delegation for the Fair for the first time. (File Photo: Nanfang Daily)

Organize an exclusive delegation for Canton Fair

Having relocated to Guangdong for tens of years, Seyedin has strong feelings about the incredible support that he and his member companies have received from the Chinese government, especially since the outbreak of the COVID-19.

Seyedin insisted that China is the first and the only country that has taken the COVID-19 under control. “The safety of our employees and ourselves is guaranteed here. All of that has to do with the government.”

“Every one of our employees has been vaccinated. That's something the government does.” Moreover, if he or his employee needs to do a nucleic acid test, they can make the reservation and test immediately, “and the cost is very low."

While on a large scale, Seyedin indicated that international transportation is widely available, and the country has managed the ports so that there's no backlog in China, helping their international business recovering swiftly. This is one reason why so many member companies in AmCham South China are enthusiastic about coming to Guangzhou for the Canton Fair. This year, AmCham South China has organized an exclusive delegation for the Fair for the first time.

According to a special report released by AmCham South China this year, Guangzhou has been selected as the top preferred reinvestment destination for four consecutive years. Most member companies ascribe their determination to establish a company in Guangzhou to the growth potential of the Guangzhou market, and 90% of them have achieved profitability in Guangzhou.

Stronger policy support vowed for cross-border e-commerce

 Update:2021-10-18    Source: Chinadaily.com.cn

Premier Li Keqiang pledged on Thursday stronger policy support to the growth of cross-border e-commerce, with measures to make the overseas warehouses smarter and more digitalized, as he visited exhibitors at the 130th session of the China Import and Export Fair.

Li inspected domestic and foreign exhibition pavilions at the fair, which opened in Guangzhou, Guangdong province on Thursday, after having delivered a keynote speech and declared the opening of the event.

He spoke with staff from Zongteng Group, an overseas warehousing and logistics provider, and encouraged the company to strive to safeguard the reputation of made-in-China products and win over the trust from global consumers.

He vowed stronger support to startups and innovative business as he talked to workers from EHang Holdings Limited, an autonomous aerial vehicle technology platform company.

Li urged the company to ensure the safety of its products and ensure its competitiveness in the international market.

In a conversation with executives from US-based company Honeywell, the premier expressed appreciation to the company's decision to expand investment in China during the most challenging period of China's fight against COVID-19, saying that the nation welcomed foreign businesses to expand their operations in China.

Executives from Fagor, a consumer appliance company from Spain, told Li that China's vast market and robust consumer demand is highly attractive to Spanish companies.

Li said he hopes the company can produce more products that can cater to the demand of Chinese consumers and EU businesses can further deepen win-win cooperation with their Chinese counterparts.

Top trade events in China 'key' to steady global supply chain

 Events provide platform for companies to make deals amid COVID headwinds

The launches of the 130th session of the China Import and Export Fair and the upcoming fourth China International Import Expo will not only help reinforce the global supply chain, but also create a concrete path to convert exhibits into commercial goods and exhibitors into investors in the country, business leaders said.

With business opportunities soaring despite challenges created by the COVID-19 pandemic, the China Import and Export Fair (Canton Fair), through its online and offline showcases, will provide a much-needed platform for companies to place new orders across global industrial and supply chains, said Woo Tae Hee, vice-chairman of the Seoul-based Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Lu Chunping, sales director of Guangzhou Zhujiang Brewery Co Ltd, a Guangdong province-based brewer and Canton Fair exhibitor, said the fair, which ended on Tuesday, is a key platform for opening-up, boosting global trade activities and promoting China's dual-circulation development paradigm.

Under the dual circulation model, the domestic market is the mainstay while the domestic and foreign markets reinforce each other.

After participating in the Canton Fair for 15 years, Lu said the event has become vital for Pearl River Beer to expand its footprint in the global market. Its export value and profits grew by 23 percent and 20 percent year-on-year, respectively, in 2020.

"The Canton Fair has also helped us gain more direct access to consumer demand around the world," he said. "We have used its platform to conduct market research to better understand flavor preferences of overseas consumers, and implement precise marketing strategies."

For example, consumers in Southeast Asia, Africa and the South Pacific region enjoy beer products with high alcohol content, while buyers in Western Europe prefer beer with a bitter taste, he added.

The Chinese company exports more than 10 varieties of beer, with diversified products to meet the needs of overseas consumers.

The event also benefits international businesses. Nick Koay, chairman for the Greater Bay Area of the Malaysian Chamber of Commerce and Industry in China, said he has participated in the Canton Fair for 15 years. The products of his factory in Zhuhai today are sold to about 30 countries and regions, and 95 percent of his regular clients are from the fair.

Backed by its complete supply and industry chains, China has been able to guarantee production amid the pandemic, which many other economies haven't been able to do, said Wang Jian, a professor who specializes in international trade at Beijing-based University of International Business and Economics.

Wang said the upcoming fourth China International Import Expo, which is to be held in Shanghai from Nov 5 to Nov 10, will advance the common growth of industry, supply and innovation chains. It will also attract more advanced technologies and foreign direct investment into China.

"For the fourth consecutive year, we will display our latest sustainable and innovative solutions at the CIIE," said Yoichi Miyazaki, chairman and CEO of Toshiba (China) Co Ltd.

"As we head toward the 50th anniversary of Toshiba's business in China next year, our participation at the CIIE once again confirms our confidence in the Chinese market."

Steven Lien, president of Honeywell China, said its CIIE booth area this year will be more than double the size of last year's setup. Lien said the expanded booth size will fully demonstrate the US conglomerate's commitment to the expo as Honeywell participates in the event for the fourth consecutive year. The company will continue to increase its investment in both innovation and manufacturing areas in China in the coming years.

Apart from the six-day annual exhibition, foreign companies can also enjoy extended services of the CIIE, such as yearlong trade platforms. Shanghai has built a total of 56 CIIE "6 + 365" trading service platforms since the first exhibition, according to information released by the Shanghai Municipal Commission of Commerce.

Nearly 180,000 types of exhibits had been introduced by the end of July this year, involving 1,390 exhibitors. A total of 146.47 billion yuan ($22.66 billion) worth of goods have been imported, according to government statistics.

Guangzhou district showcases new import promotion zone at CIIE

 Update:2021-11-09    Source: Chinadaily.com.cn

An employee of Guangzhou's Nansha district introduces the district's achievements to a visitor during the fourth CIIE in Shanghai. [Photo by Feng Yongbin/China Daily]

Guangzhou's Nansha district is showcasing its new import trade promotion and innovation demonstration zone at the ongoing China International Import Expo with the aim of attracting more investors and companies from different industries.

Located along the Pearl River, Nansha district was last year named a demonstration zone for import businesses.

At this year's CIIE, which wraps up on Wednesday, Nansha has introduced new plans to accelerate the development of its imports, especially in terms of foodstuffs, pharmaceuticals and artwork. New policies will also be launched to optimize the business environment and improve the efficiency and accessibility of public services.

"We have adopted innovative measures to speed up registration, Customs clearance and other administrative processes," Dong Ke, district government head, said during the CIIE on Friday.

Dong said companies have been encouraged to make declarations in advance so that they can receive export tax reimbursements within three working days.

In 2020, Nansha Port handled more than 17 million standard containers and added 131 new international shipping routes, Dong added. Today, Nansha Port is connected to more than 200 ports around the world.

Nansha has also announced that six new platforms have been officially launched at the import demonstration zone. These platforms include a comprehensive center for automobile trading and four distribution centers for cold chain logistics, global merchandising, foods and beverages, as well as food supplies specially marketed to the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.

"Problems and difficulties are unavoidable when a foreign brand enters the Chinese market for the first time," said Li Hui, vice-director of Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao International Supply Chains Co Ltd, at the launch of the platforms during the CIIE on Friday.

"The new platform for global merchandising distribution will provide digital services and bring together outstanding providers and resources," Li said.

He added that the new platform will eventually integrate trade services and resources such as logistics, distribution and Customs clearance and provide digital solutions and administrative services for global corporations.

A new bonded warehouse for artwork was also highlighted at Nansha's CIIE showroom.

Yang Mei, president of the Greater Bay Area International Bonded Art Service Center, said the objective of the warehouse is to create a safe, advanced and professional service chain for trading in art.

"We hope to become a cultural industry leader that connects with Hong Kong and Macao, and achieve an annual import and export volume of 300 million yuan ($46.88 million)," Yang said.

Nansha to set up offshore innovation and entrepreneurship base for overseas professionals

 Update:2021-11-24    Source: Newsgd.com

The China Association for Science and Technology recently approved Guangzhou Nansha Development Zone (Nansha Free Trade Zone) to set up a National Offshore Innovation and Entrepreneurship Base to attract overseas talents to start up new businesses in the district.

The base will make use of the offshore incubator and industrial park of the South China Technology Commercialization Center, and support overseas talents launching offshore research, trade and service businesses, and exploring a new offshore entrepreneurship model that supports foreign and domestic dual registrations. High-end overseas talents will be able to stay abroad to carry out their innovation and entrepreneurship while achieving transformation in the base. Meanwhile, the base will also provide supportive policies, research facilities, entry-exit support.

To build an international talent pool, Nansha has put forward a series of advantageous policies and established 335 technological innovation platforms. The district has also established a well-developed housing policy to solve overseas professionals’ living problems.

According to Nansha, the district has gathered 12,000 high-level professionals over the past five years, an increase of 7.9 times. The number of professionals that applied for the Overseas High-Level Talent Recruitment Programs ranks the second in Guangzhou. The number of postdoctoral researchers accounts for one third of the city’s total. The South China Technology Commercialization Center has gained more than 6,000 scientific and technological achievements and helped 2,588 global professionals settle in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.

Foreign businesses access to opportunities available in GBA

 Update:2021-11-29    Source: Newsgd.com

BYD will seize the historical opportunities of the Greater Bay Area (GBA) to build a green transportation industry system, and help to create a "zero-emission GBA", said BYD representative at an event held in Hong Kong and Shenzhen on November 26 to showcase the latest business outlook of the GBA.

Themed as "A New Journey with Greater opportunities - Virtual Tour to the Greater Bay Area for Foreign Businesses in Hong Kong", the event attracted several hundred attendees including GBA government officials, enterprise executives and foreign businesses in Hong Kong.

In a virtual tour section to present the intelligent equipment, medical and innovations, heads of six well-known GBA enterprises shared their achievements and experiences in this area.

"As the GBA witnesses an improving environment for the protection of intellectual property rights, Carl Zeiss Vision as a foreign company, will make more innovative products in China and train more scientists and engineers," said Wilson Peng, Managing Director of ZEISS Vision Care China.

The event was held both online and offline by the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Hong Kong SAR, HK SAR government and Guangdong government.

"Whatever the international situation evolves, China will not change the resolve to open wider at a high standard, and will not change the determination to share development opportunities with the world," said Liu Guangyuan, Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the HK SAR in his welcoming remarks. And he said GBA is favorable in its well-developed advantages and geographical position, thus increasingly attracting global investors.

Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor, Chief Executive of the HK SAR, pointed out several key factors for GBA's success. For instance, the commitment to develop a high-quality GBA will call for more openness and innovation, more international cooperation and more synergy between Hong Kong and the mainland cities. She said, businesses based in Hong Kong will certainly enjoy the first-mover advantage.

China will comprehensively implement the "One Country, Two Systems" policy, make use of the advantages of Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao, strengthen the integration of rules and mechanisms and provide a better business environment for various market players, including foreign-funded enterprises, said Cong Liang, Vice-chairman of the National Development and Reform Commission in the keynote speech.

During the event, officials from the Office of the Leading Group for Developing the GBA and major GBA cities including Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Zhuhai and Dongguan introduced the province's participation in promoting the GBA's development.

Focusing on the strategic positioning in the Outline Development Plan for the GBA, Guangdong has made a lot of progress, said Zhu Yonghui, Deputy Director of the Office of the Leading Group for Developing the GBA.

For instance, Guangdong is improving its modern transportation system, now the travelling time among major cities within the GBA is reduced to one hour or less. At present, it only takes 30 minutes to drive from Hong Kong to Zhuhai and Macao, and it only takes 48 minutes to reach Guangzhou by high-speed rail from Hong Kong.

Joint economic meeting boosts cooperation between Guangdong and NSW

 Update:2021-12-02    Source: Newsgd.com

To deepen the communication, as well as explore new areas of mutually beneficial cooperation, the 28^thGuangdong-New South Wales (NSW) Joint Economic Meeting kicked off in Guangzhou and Sydney simultaneously on December 1.

Adopted by video conference, more than 60 representatives from both sides presented the meeting.

At the meeting, both the province of Guangdong and NSW not only reviewed the fruits of cooperation in recent years, but also discussed the potential cooperation which was brought by the “Dual Areas” (Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and Shenzhen as the pilot demonstration area of socialism with Chinese characteristics), Guangdong-Macao in-depth cooperation zone in Hengqin, Qianhai Shenzhen-Hong Kong Modern Service Industry Cooperation Zone and the Greater Sydney Region Plan-A Metropolis of Three Cities.

Both of the two sides indicated that a close communication in various fields should be maintained.

Guangdong and NSW established sister relationship in 1979, which is the first sister state (province) pair between China and Australia. Over the past 42 years, a great number of exchanges have been launched in two regions under the framework of the sister relationship.

In order to promote more cooperation between the two regions in the field of trade and investment, education and technology, healthcare, culture and tourism, the two sides had established the joint economic meeting in 1983.

Statistics show that import-export volume between Guangdong and NSW went up 2.4 percent to exceed 120 billion RMB in 2020. In the first nine months this year, trade volume between the two regions is over 100 billion RMB, a 20% increase year on year.

Furthermore, companies from the two sides also signed cooperation agreements in the field of new energy vehicles and biological medicine.

At the meeting, representatives from Guangzhou and Sydney delivered speeches to mark the 35 year anniversary of the sister city relationship between the two cities.

Sub-forums in trade and investment, biological medicine and green development will be held.