Director Ma Junmei of the Shenzhen Municipal Industry and Information Technology Bureau meets with General Manager Francine Hadjisotiriou

2019-08-26 | South China

On 26th August, Director Ma Junmei and her colleague Qiu Tingting met with European Chamber of Commerce’s South China Chapter General Manager (GM) Francine Hadjisotiriou

The Bureau’s Industry Planning Division hoped to better understand the processes which companies go through to develop in China – before and after actually arriving in China and the role the Chamber plays throughout these processes. Besides answering these rather basic questions of what the Chamber does and the role we play for European businesses operating in China, Director Ma was very open to the suggestions offered by GM .

Following Director Ma's question regarding what steps enterprises can take to actually to invest in China, GM Hadjisotiriou offered advice that which corresponded directly with aspects of Director Ma's work. Her strategic offering of advice that was closely related to the work that the Shenzhen Municipal Industry and Information Technology Bureau does gives us hope that her advocacy can be successfully implemented.

As the Bureau is heavily responsible for governmental dissemination online, GM Hadjisotiriou advocated that they design better Chinese websites, with translations that can be easily read and understood by companies looking to expand in Europe/move out of Europe. Besides superior translations, Chinese governmental websites need to be easier found and represented in Europe. Thus, better websites, better accessibility, and better promotion abroad through the World Wide Web would be potentially effective methods when trying to guide enterprises into China.

Other points of advice offered to Director Ma and her colleague were in regard to type of content that could be found on the above mentioned websites. Thorough, honest, and frequently updated information on different Chinese cities which include (but are not limited to) their: 1) strategic geographic features, 2) current or potential sectors occupying the region, 3) Potential governmental guidance, local policy benefits, or specific subsidies offered by a region or city, 4) Average projected costs, 5) Average educational background and worker skillsets available, and 6) Average salary, appropriate wage levels for hiring workers of different skillsets, etc.

Another way to realize and increase in investments in China would be to better establish governmental policy in regards to foreign company development in China. During the meeting, an emphasis on intellectual property rights and protection was conveyed to the director and her colleague. 

In summary, the cooperation shown at this meeting between the Bureau of Industry and Technology Information’s Industry Planning Division and Chamber has led not only to a better understanding between both parties, but has also opened dialogue between an important representative organization of how Chinese industry is planned with an  important representative of foreign investors in China, the Chamber. The suggestions the Bureau was open to accepting during the meeting will hopefully lead to a more tangible manifestation of more open and reliable information being channeled by the Bureau to European companies.