Why Do Foreign Chambers Of Commerce "Get Together" In Sichuan?

In July 5th, the Chengdu Representative Office of the Austria Federation Chamber of Commerce was formally established, and the foreign country stationed in Chengdu. Commerce Chamber , association More than 10 -

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In the recent survey of the American Chamber of Commerce in Southwest China, Chengdu has topped the list for the 3 consecutive year, becoming an expansion of American enterprises. Investment Preferred destination

The chamber of commerce is very happy with the local government. The transformation of administrative functions has made the government service faster, more humane and more professional.

The service scope of chambers of Commerce and associations is becoming wider and wider. Serving enterprises is becoming one of the duties of the Chengdu Office of the German Chamber of Commerce in China.

In February of this year, the Chengdu Office of the China German Chamber of Commerce was unveiled. In March, the French champagne Arden district established the Sichuan economic and Trade Representative Office; in July 5th, the Austria Federation Chamber of Commerce Chengdu representative office was officially established. The pace of foreign chambers of Commerce and associations coming to Sichuan is faster and faster. This reflects the economic and social development of Sichuan in recent years and its achievements in foreign exchanges.

What is the attraction to foreign businessmen in Sichuan, which is located in the western part of China? How do the foreign chambers of Commerce and associations evaluate the local government? How can the chambers of Commerce and associations pave the way for cooperation? On July 6-7, the reporter interviewed several foreign chambers of Commerce and Chengdu Representative Office.

　 Chamber of Commerce stare at the market:

The first choice for investment in Western China

Who will introduce Starbucks to Chengdu with the same name? Wang Xiaodong and his colleagues, the president of the American Chamber of Commerce in Southwest China. As the president of the Sichuan based chamber of Commerce, Wang Xiaodong has spared no effort to recommend Chengdu to US businesses for 15 years.

In Wang Xiaodong's eyes, Chengdu is a city that attracts all the people including foreign businessmen. "The chamber of Commerce will issue an investigation report on China's investment environment every year. As an additional part of this report, in recent years, we have conducted a questionnaire survey of the US enterprises that have invested in China, asking them to choose: if they continue to expand their investment, where will they choose in Southwest China? Chengdu has won the top 3 consecutive years and is the preferred destination for us enterprises to expand investment. "

In 1996, the British China Trade Association set up a representative office in Chengdu. The chief representative of the representative office, Bao Yi, told reporters: "as the first foreign trade association to set up a representative office in Chengdu, Sichuan, I have to admire the boss's forward-looking vision." Bao said that in the 90s of last century, western development strategy was not yet implemented, and the development of Sichuan was far less than that of today. But judging from today's development, there is no doubt that the boss's choice was right.

"Sichuan is a market with huge potential and broad prospects. This is the biggest attraction for foreign enterprises." Bao said that with the further implementation of the new strategy for the development of the western region, the vitality of Sichuan's development is unlimited.

"The momentum of rapid development has led to the diversification of business opportunities in Chengdu, a leading western city, which continues to attract investment interest from many foreign businessmen including German merchants." Holger, chairman of the board of directors of Southern China, China's German Chamber of Commerce, said.

　 The chamber of Commerce commended the government:

More efficient, better attitude, better working and more professional.

It is the main function of chambers of Commerce and associations to promote trade development with Sichuan, attract enterprises to invest in Sichuan, provide foreign enterprises with support from pre market research, settle down and follow up various links, and assist the government in participating in industry management and promoting healthy development of the industry.

To fulfill these functions and deal with the local government, it becomes commonplace. Therefore, the feelings of these foreign and regional chambers of Commerce and associations reflect to a large extent the effect of the transformation of government functions.

The art of packaging has witnessed the transformation of government functions in the past 15 years. She summed up the transformation in three sentences: efficiency, attitude and work. "At the beginning of the year and the end of the year, the relevant government departments will convene everyone to listen to their opinions and suggestions, and many problems will be solved in the later work. This positive and sincere attitude reflects the attitude of the Sichuan government in attracting foreign investment.

What Wang Xiaodong particularly commends is that Chengdu will hold a forum of foreign investment enterprises and mayors every year. Wang Xiaodong said that at the forum, foreign chambers of Commerce, associations and heads of foreign-funded enterprises could be face-to-face, frank and honest with the leaders of the relevant functional departments, including the mayor, and solve problems that could be solved on the spot. They could not be resolved on the spot, and would reply within 7 working days.

Wang Xiaodong tells the story: foreign invested enterprises in Tianfu Software Park, a high-tech zone, have told the chamber of commerce that it is difficult for employees to commute at night. At the forum, the chamber of Commerce made a request to Ge Honglin, mayor of Chengdu, to extend the bus operation time and send taxis to the software park area. In less than 2 weeks, the problem was solved, and the difficulty of the night shift for foreign employees was greatly alleviated. "The government's open attitude, sincere intentions and high efficiency have given enterprises great confidence."

　　 Chamber of Commerce sees the future:

Building up bridges between government and enterprises and widening cooperation channels

"Bridging and paving" is the description of the work of many chambers of Commerce and associations. How can the chamber of commerce make the bridge of cooperation wider and wider?

KPMG, a well-known consulting firm, found the chamber of Commerce to understand the situation before it settled in Chengdu. The chamber of Commerce accompanied the president of the company to introduce the investment environment of Chengdu and Sichuan, the development of American enterprises in Sichuan, the government's policies and efforts, customer resources and market effects, and helped the company make a detailed Market Research Report. "At that time, the inspection of Chengdu's investment environment satisfied the other side and enhanced their investment confidence. Soon after, KPMG entered Chengdu. Wang Xiaodong said.

The sudden "5. 12" Wenchuan earthquake did not slow down the pace of seeking cooperation between foreign businessmen and Sichuan. The French champagne Arden District officially established friendly and cooperative relations with the province in September 2010. In March this year, the establishment of the Sichuan economic and Trade Representative Office of the greater region increased the speed of cooperation. The head of the Sichuan economic and Trade Representative Office said that it is pushing the two countries to launch direct cargo transport to deepen exchanges and cooperation with Sichuan in the fields of economy, trade, culture, education, logistics and so on, especially strengthening the two famous liquor brands. Provincial cooperation.

The package gives a set of data to show the determination of cooperation: since 2009, the import and export volume of Britain and Sichuan has increased by nearly 30%, "this speed is encouraging."

Holger firmly believes that the establishment of the Chengdu Office of the German Chamber of Commerce in China will enable them to better understand the local business environment and provide more targeted services to enterprises. "Of course, serving Sichuan and western enterprises is also one of the duties of the Chengdu office."

Austria attaches great importance to the establishment of the representative office of Chengdu, and has organized a large economic delegation to visit Sichuan. There are more than 20 enterprises in many fields including energy, electronics, environmental protection, finance, machinery manufacturing, education, medical treatment, food processing, cable car and so on, which have been in good connection with Sichuan enterprises, including Olympic Gang, Austria, and so on. The world's top 500 enterprises, as well as the world's cable car giant Austria Sanhe Du Bei Ma Ya transportation system company. Rao Chunxiang, chief representative of the Chengdu Representative Office of the Austria Federal Chamber of Commerce, said: "this is enough to show Austria's strong desire to expand cooperation with Sichuan and expand the Midwest market."

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At present, there are more than 10 foreign chambers of Commerce and associations in Chengdu, the Chengdu Representative Office of the China EU Chamber of Commerce, the Chengdu International Chamber of Commerce, the American Chamber of Commerce in Southwest China, the Chengdu Representative Office of the Sino British Trade Association, and the Chengdu Representative Office of the Italy foreign trade association. The establishment of these chambers of Commerce in Chengdu will drive foreign investment in Chengdu. At the same time, in undertaking today's industrial transfer in the eastern coastal areas, the chamber of Commerce will assist the government in undertaking more auxiliary work.