CBBC members took the opportunity to raise questions and comments with the Jiangsu Provincial People’s Government about key concerns relating to the business environment, market access and business development in Jiangsu.

Twenty-three UK Members were present at the UK Jiangsu Business Dialogue, together with ten corresponding departments of Jiangsu Provincial People’s Government.

The dialogue was attended by Mr HUANG Lan, Deputy Secretary General of Jiangsu Provincial People’s Government, who shared with the audience that Jiangsu’s economy achieved above national average growth rate in 2020, making Jiangsu one of the two provinces with an economy of over RMB 10 trillion. He also noted to attendees that ‘Jiangsu is currently implementing several national strategies, including the Belt and Road Initiative, Yangtze River Delta Integration, Yangtze River Economic Belt and Free Trade Zone. Jiangsu aims to build itself into a globally competitive technology and innovation centre’. Mr HUANG was also pleased to announce that UK has become the largest European investor in Jiangsu in 2020 and he encouraged more UK companies to take on the development opportunity in Jiangsu.  

Duncan Clark, Vice Chair at CBBC, opened by noting that ‘From food and drink to research and innovation, professional services to production facilities, Jiangsu is a major destination for UK investment. A key reason for this is the reception British investors receive when they invest here and events such as today’s all play a role. Looking ahead we see a growing range of complementary areas for further UK investment activity in Jiangsu. Financial and professional services, manufacturing, consumer sectors and green technology are all major strengths of the British economy while at the same time are recognised as key industries for Jiangsu as well.’

During the dialogue, Tom Simpson, Managing Director (China) at CBBC introduced the UK delegation attending the dialogue.

‘Most of the companies here with us today have already invested in Jiangsu such as AstraZeneca, bp, Swire Coca Cola, Smiths Group, Jaguar Land Rover, Smith+Nephew, INEOS, Reckitt Benckiser, and The WEIR Group. These investments are located across the province in cities such as Suzhou, Taicang, Changshu, Wuxi, Nanjing, as well as other cities. British service sector stalwarts such as IHG, PWC, HSBC and Standard Chartered Bank also have established operations in Jiangsu. While members including Hawksford, Atkins, BSI, Dentons, Diageo, GXS, ICAEW, London & Partners, and RELX are actively engaged in Jiangsu and seeking to grow their business here.’

During the dialogue, senior representatives from member companies - WEIR, Smiths, IHG, bp, Hawksford, RELX, Reckitt Benckiser, Smith+Nephew, Swire Coca Cola and HSBC – had the opportunity to introduce their businesses and ask questions relating to Jiangsu’s business environment and investment policies. Responses to each question were provided by representatives from the Jiangsu Development & Reform Commission, Jiangsu Department of Science and Technology, Jiangsu Department of Ecology and Environment, Jiangsu Department of Culture and Tourism, Jiangsu Health Commission, Jiangsu Department of Foreign Affairs Office, Jiangsu Provincial Financial Supervision Bureau, Jiangsu Department of Industry and Information Technology, Jiangsu Department of Natural Resources, Jiangsu Department of Commerce.

The dialogue covered an extensive range of topics, with particular focus given to acquiring new land for expansion, getting permits, distributing medical equipment, establishing pilot projects, Jiangsu’s carbon neutrality policy, qualification of FDI by using profits from existing investments, opportunity to participate in Jiangsu’s technology and digital innovation, and support policies to tourism and financial services.

The dialogue was moderated by Madam YANG Jing, Deputy Director of Jiangsu Provincial Foreign Affairs Office. She concluded that the dialogue is a good platform for UK companies to better understand Jiangsu’s development opportunity and likewise, for the Jiangsu government to better understand the needs of UK businesses operating in Jiangsu.

After the dialogue, members also joined the visit to Nanjing Jiangbei New Area, which is a national level new district and also is the location for China (Jiangsu) Pilot Free Trade Zone (Nanjing Area).

Member companies visited the Jiangsu Industry Technology Research Institute (JITRI) and Jiangbei New Area Planning Exhibition Hall there they learned about the Jiangsu’s innovation capabilities and planning of Nanjing Jiangbei New Area.

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