Changchun promising investment site

Editor's note: Last month, Shao Xianglin, vice-president of China Association of Enterprises with Foreign Investment (CAEFI), headed a business delegation to visit the Changchun Economic and Technological Development Zone.

Delegates representing a dozen Fortune 500 companies spoke with government officials and business leaders about Changchun's investment environment.

Shao Xianglin, CAEFI vice-president and secretary-general

After visiting the Changchun zone, I feel confident about its future prospects.

Although the world suffered from economic turmoil and saw decline in foreign investment, China's economy maintained a healthy growth.

According to our studies, foreign-funded companies in China operate better than those in other countries.

China's imports and exports in the first half of 2010 increased 43.1 percent to $1.35 trillion, to which foreign companies contributed 55 percent.

Meanwhile, the Chinese government has taken actions to further attract foreign investment.

Changchun has a solid foundation for attracting investment after several years of development. Its competitiveness lies in its services, infrastructure and policies, which are vital for an inland city to draw foreign capital.

Changchun should boost its economy with the aim of developing an international metropolis.

Li Dao, president of Pro Health (China) Daily Commodities Co

We are glad to see the development of the economic zone, especially its talent pool, which is the foremost concern of multinational companies.

In order to let more multinational enterprises enter the zone, we hope to see a mixed economic model in Changchun that will integrate both domestic and the export-oriented economies.

Zhang Shengli, general manager of SEW-Eurodrive (China) Holding Co

Changchun development zone's competitive advantage lies with traditional manufacturing industries, especially the auto industry.

I advice the zone's authorities further promote its advantages and better communicate with all its enterprises.

I also suggest officials make every effort to retain foreign-funded enterprises. Government supports like favorable policies will help boost the development of companies as well as the zone.

Liu Xianguang, chief representative of Lee Kum Kee Group's Beijing office

I would like to suggest Changchun and the economic development zone promote themselves in the following two ways:

First, seek out foreign and domestic companies. It's better to be praised by others than by yourself.

Second, the government should provide investors with all-around services, which are vital to competition.

Yang Guohua, general manager of Omron Corp China

As a company in the manufacturing industry, we are not currently present in Changchun. However, considering the area's geological and industrial advantages, we may invest in the region in the near future.

We expect to develop electronic products for automakers in Changchun. We hope to cooperate with First Automotive Works (FAW) in research, development and logistics.

Qu Qiang, manager of governmental affairs at Doosan Infracore (China) Investment Co

Increasing labor costs in other regions represents an opportunity for Changchun. It will result in industrial transfers to the city.

We noticed some construction machinery companies have already established plants in Changchun. It's likely we will invest in this area in the future.

I want to know the salary of workers in companies like us, and the city's policies guiding the development of the construction machinery industry.

Guan Longze, northeast region manager of General Electric Company (China)

We are keen to know whether some foreign financial institutions could enter the economic development zone. We tried to cooperate with FAW in establishing an auto financing firm in 2007, but failed.

The zone should attach equal importance to domestic and foreign investment, and help foster cooperative relationships among enterprises.

It should have a professional team that specializes in attracting investment and offering services for investors.

I hope to read more about Changchun in media reports in the future.

Source:China Daily