CBBC Launches First UK-Shanghai Business Dialogue

CBBC members take the opportunity to ask the Shanghai Municipal People’s Government about their key concerns going into the final quarter of 2020

Following the news that British investment into Shanghai grew by 228% during the first half of 2020, the China-Britain Business Council (“CBBC”) co-hosted the first UK-Shanghai Business Dialogue at the InterContinental Shanghai Ruijin on 27th August 2020 in partnership with Shanghai Municipal Commission of Commerce and Huangpu District People’s Government.

Tom Simpson, Managing Director of China-Britain Business Council, delivered opening remarks

Over 100 attendees representing municipal-level bureaux and offices, major UK companies, and companies based in Huangpu District were present at the first UK-Shanghai Business Dialogue

Tom Simpson, Managing Director of CBBC, opened by noting that “From theme parks and shopping centres to R&D centres and production facilities, Shanghai is a major destination for British investment. A key reason for this is the reception British investors receive when they invest here, and events such as today’s play a role in this.”

Mr XU Kunlin, Vice Mayor of Shanghai Municipal People’s Government, gave a keynote speech

The dialogue was attended by Mr XU Kunlin, Vice Mayor of Shanghai Municipal People’s Government, who commented that “Industrial development in Shanghai and the UK are highly complementary to each other.” He also noted to the over 100 attendees representing municipal-level bureaux and offices, major UK companies, and companies based in Huangpu District that “Broad cooperation opportunities can be found in financial services, biomedicine, the cultural and creative industries, professional services, education and tourism, and other industries. I look forward to UK companies taking root in Shanghai, the world’s best market.”

Senior representatives from CBBC member companies ask questions relating to Shanghai’s business environment and investment policies

During the dialogue, senior representatives from CBBC member companies – Aberdeen Standard Investments, Jardines, Deloitte, Jaguar Land Rover, Atkins, BSI, and Samarkand Global – had the opportunity to ask questions relating to Shanghai’s business environment and investment policies. The dialogue was moderated by Madam SHANG Yuying, Deputy Secretary General of Shanghai Municipal People’s Government, and responses to each question were provided by representatives from the Shanghai Municipal Commission of Commerce, Tax Bureau, Development and Reform Commission, Housing and Construction Commission, Financial Regulatory Bureau, Human Resources and Social Security Bureau, and Lingang New Area.

Representatives from CBBC member companies joined an extensive range of topics during the dialogue

The dialogue covered an extensive range of topics, with particular focus given to the importance of financial professional services reform, how to best attract overseas talent, the cost of human resources, the need for mutual recognition of professional qualifications, and how to optimise policies concerning tax relief and subsidies. As well as these topics, there were questions covering relevant local concerns, including on the future development of Lingang New Area of China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone, further integration within the Yangtze River Delta region, epidemic prevention and control work during the 3rd China International Import Expo (“CIIE”), and a fast-track programme for the convenience of foreign exhibitors at the CIIE.

Mr CHAO Kejian, District Mayor of Huangpu People’s Government, outlined the key industries within Huangpu and the investment opportunities they present

The dialogue also saw Mr CHAO Kejian, District Mayor of Huangpu People’s Government, outline the key industries within Huangpu and the investment opportunities they present. In addition, a delegation from Shanghai Municipal Commerce Commission detailed the preparatory work being carried out for the CIIE later this year.

Over 100 attendees representing municipal-level bureaux and offices, major UK companies, and companies based in Huangpu District were present at the first UK-Shanghai Business Dialogue

上海市人民政府副市长许昆林和英中贸易协会中国区总裁 Tom Simpson分别致辞

上海—英国经贸合作圆桌对话会于 8 月 27 日下午在上海瑞金洲际酒店成功举行。本次对话会由上海市商务委员会、黄浦区人民政府和英中贸易协会三方共同主办，上海市外国投资促进中心、黄浦区商务委员会、黄浦区金融办联合承办。活动分为三部分，包括“上海•云见”英国企业专场圆桌对话会、黄浦区专场推介会以及外滩金融集聚带线下参观活动。

上海市人民政府副市长许昆林和英中贸易协会中国区总裁 Tom Simpson分别致辞。黄浦区人民政府区长巢克俭作了有关黄浦区的主旨推介。上海市各委办局、英国在沪重点企业代表以及黄浦区相关部门和企业代表共百余人参会。此外，会议通过线上平台，邀请到了太古集团、雅诗兰黛、沃博联等近50家境内外跨国公司远程参会。

许昆林副市长在会上发言

许昆林副市长在致辞中指出，“英国是上海重要的经贸合作伙伴，双方在长期的经贸往来中建立了坚实的合作基础，两地产业发展高度契合，在金融服务、生物医药、文化创意、装备制造、专业服务、教育旅游等众多领域有广阔的空间和发展前景。希望英国企业扎根于上海这个全球最好的市场。”

英中贸易协会中国区总裁Tom Simpson在会上发言

英中贸易协会中国区总裁 Tom Simpson 在致辞中表示“2019年英中双边贸易额首次突破一千亿英镑，在过去二十年间，中国对英国的投资超过了其对德法两国的投资之和，总计超过400亿英镑。会员企业对华投资的意愿依然强劲，有越来越多互补的领域可供英国投资者来沪投资。”

在随后的黄浦区专场推介会上，巢克俭区长介绍了黄浦区的重点产业情况和开放载体，并从黄浦区悠久历史、多元文化、经济活力和精品服务的角度详细推介了黄浦区的投资机会。

此次活动的重头戏“上海 - 英国经贸合作圆桌对话会”对话环节，由上海市政府副秘书长尚玉英主持。安本标准投资（Aberdeen Standard Investments）、怡和集团（Jardines）、德勤（Deloitte）、捷豹路虎（Jaguar Land Rover）、阿特金斯（Atkins）、英国标准协会（BSI）以及思迈德国际（Samarkand）共7家英中贸易协会会员企业代表分享了在沪投资案例，并就上海的营商环境和企业运营中的具体事项踊跃提问。

在谈及第三届中国国际进口博览会的筹备情况时，上海市商委有关领导表示， 商务委成立了服务保障工作小组，制定了总体方案和15个专项工作方案，形成了105项具体任务。关于进博会的疫情防控工作，目前具体的工作方案、以及为了方便境外人员入境参展的快捷通道方案正在制定中，很快将会统一对外公布。

在其他议题方面，多家英中贸易协会会员企业对于临港新片区和长三角一体化表达了关注。在回答发言企业的提问时，相关部门领导一一做了详细解答，并表示这两个区域是上海肩负的两个重要任务，也是未来经济发展的重要经济增长极，希望企业能够抓住机遇，能够在上海实现更多更快的发展。

会员单位就热点话题展开提问讨论

除此以外，会员单位还就金融专业服务、吸引海外人才、企业用人成本、专业人士资质互认、税务减免和补助、以及营商环境等热点内容展开提问。来自市商务委、发改委、住建委、税务局、金融局、人社局等部门对于会员企业的咨询提问一一记录、详细解答，并宣讲了最新政策。

英中贸易协会中国区总裁Tom Simpson接受采访

此次对话会为英中贸易协会会员企业提供了一个与上海市政府相关部门面对面交流的重要机会。会员企业积极地参并精心准备了关于上海营商环境和投资政策的具体问题。活动主办方一致表示，将把这样的活动形式延续下去，畅通政府企业沟通机制，重视并解决企业困难。英中贸易协会将以此次活动为契机，积极增进英国企业对上海的了解和认知，促进英中两国企业间的沟通和信任，力争更好地服务我们的会员企业扎根中国、深化合作、共谋发展、共展宏图。

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The China-Britain Business Council ("CBBC") is the UK’s national business network promoting trade and investment with China. Since 1954 we have acted as the independent voice of business, located at the heart of the action, engaging across both countries in every sector and region. We support our members and partners by delivering the advice, analysis and access which they need in order to seize the China opportunity. Our diverse membership includes leading UK companies and universities, many of the UK’s most dynamic SMEs, and an ever increasing number of Chinese companies exporting to and investing in the UK.

英中贸易协会（“CBBC”）是英国促进对华贸易和投资的国家级商业贸易网络。自1954年以来，我们一直作为独立的商业声音，处在行动的核心位置参与两国在每个行业和地区的合作。为了协助我们的会员与合作伙伴更好地抓住中国的商业机遇，英中贸易协会不遗余力地为其提供所需的商业建议、解析与渠道。我们的会员包括众多英国领先的公司与知名大学、英国最具活力的中小企业，以及越来越多向英国出口和在英国投资的中国企业等。