Chongqing - The American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham) has rooted in southwest China for more than 20 years, which commits to promoting communications and developments through the economy, trade, and culture between China and America. As the business re-awakens following coronavirus shutdown, iChongqing took an interview with Mr. Benjamin Wang, the Chairman of  AmCham Southwest China, to hear about AmCham’s ongoing efforts to assist its member companies to resume work.

Benjamin Wang, the Chairman of AmCham Southwest. Photo provided by AmCham Southwest China.

In order to cope with the epidemic, the AmCham member companies have taken measures, including arranging the shift with some work from home and having teleconferencing, launching the online services to customers and screening for any staff returning with suspected viruses. “Our members have donated cash and needed goods valued hundreds of millions of RMB in total. I believe this number is ascending continually.” Said Mr. Wang. 

However, he also pointed out that the business operates in education, IT, Finance, manufacturing, service & consulting and hospitality had to be suspended for a couple of weeks. Part of the member companies have started to resume the business operation slowly, affected with different factors, the lack of the necessary medical supplies, including masks, goggles and protective clothing, etc. the material and supply chain shortages due to slow logistics transportation, and the pressure of cash flow caused by the income decrease and the upstream cost increase.  The governments have formulated related policies to encourage companies to resume smoothly. “Thanks to effective measures taken by governments, most members take a positive attitude towards the epidemic.” Said Mr. Wang. 

According to Mr. Wang, due to the outbreak of COVID – 19, the AmCham executive team and BoGers have adjusted the work plan in the first half-year of 2020. Moreover, it proactively takes effort in the prevention and controlling work by following up on news updating closely with its member companies, assisting some members timely or directly, supporting relevant provincial and municipal authorities in their work to contain the spread of the virus. Meanwhile, the AmCham is trying to learn the situation, challenges, measures and suggestions on returning to work from the member companies, so as to provide better, more efficient and targeted services to the members combining with their demands. 

Based on the feedback from the member companies, Mr. Wang brought forward two suggestions on helping companies resuming work faster, “If it's possible, the government could provide some formal and authorized channels of medical supplies to the companies, to meet the requirements of resumption of work with the epidemic prevention and control. The related policies and guidelines can be further simplified and refined based on different industries.”