Shanghai pulls out all stops to showcase the city charm ahead of CIIE

Shanghai's investment promotion authorities are capitalizing on the upcoming China International Import Expo (CIIE) to highlight the city's strong appeal to investors.

They have released schedules for a series of tour routes and promotional events supporting the CIIE, which will cover Shanghai's high-tech parks and innovation hubs across districts.

"These events and promotional activities during the CIIE will provide a platform for global investors to exchange ideas and pursue further cooperation," said He Dongbing, deputy director of the Shanghai Commission of Commerce.

The Shanghai Investment Promotion Conference, held in support of the CIIE, is jointly organized by the commerce commission, the municipal government, and the Pudong New Area to maximize the CIIE's spillover effects.

These routes encompass key industrial sectors, including artificial intelligence, electronics and information technology, life sciences and health care, and high-end equipment manufacturing. The goal is to help potential investors connect with partners and identify investment opportunities.

This year's CIIE will feature a total of 59 specialized tour routes and 43 high-quality promotion events, allowing overseas visitors and potential investors to explore Shanghai's industrial advantages.

By the end of September, Shanghai was home to 1,060 regional headquarters of multinational corporations and 631 foreign-funded R&D centers, according to Zhu Min, director of the commerce commission, which has also appointed nearly 200 liaison officers to provide specialized services for exhibitors.

Additionally, Shanghai's district commerce departments will actively engage with CIIE exhibitors, offering customized investment inspection itineraries and working to convert exhibitors into investors.

In addition to the Shanghai City Promotion Conference scheduled for early November, nearly 100 thematic side events will take place during the CIIE to encourage in-depth exchanges among participants.

"We sincerely hope that investment institutions and multinational corporations from around the world will continue to expand their presence in areas such as smart manufacturing, green technology, and the digital economy, while also increasing their investments in high-quality service industries," He said.