European Chamber's Executive Committee Delegation Meets with Qingdao Mayor
2024-04-19 | All chapters
On 19th April, a delegation from the European Chamber’s Executive Committee (ExCo), comprising Chamber President Jens Eskelund, Vice President Massimo Bagnasco, States' Representative Gianni Di Giovanni and Secretary General Adam Dunnett, visited Qingdao, Shandong Province.
A roundtable for Qingdao-based European enterprises was co-organised by the Chamber and the Qingdao Government. Attending European companies called for the implementation of Qingdao’s measures aimed at optimising foreign investment.
Meetings were held privately with various leaders from the Qingdao Government, including Mayor Zhao Haozhi, Deputy Party Secretary Zhang Hui and Vice Mayor Wang Bo. Local officials who met with the delegation said that they welcomed European businesses, encouraging them to invest in the city.
President Eskelund emphasised six key areas where the local authorities could further enhance services for businesses: 1) fostering ‘new quality productive forces’; 2) enhancing transparency in local policies; 3) improving the electricity supply and stability with a focus on green electricity; 4) facilitating better access to talent (especially engineers); 5) supporting small and medium-sized enterprises; and 6) improving their access to finance. He also observed that Qingdao's biggest competition comes not from outside China, but from other Chinese cities.
The ExCo delegation also held a meeting with top executives from European companies operating in Qingdao. During the meeting, the delegation introduced Chamber services and advocacy efforts aimed at supporting the local European business community. The executives discussed specific industrial concerns and explored how they might engage with the Chamber in the future.