Chongqing - On May 10, the First ILSTC High-quality Products Exhibition and Cooperation Fair in Yuzhong District, Chongqing, featured around 30 booths from Italy, the UK, South Korea, and more along Cross Golden Street in Jiefangbei, offering citizens and tourists a global shopping experience in one spot.
"We have a lot of attention in Chongqing now from the central government," said Paolo Bazzoni, Vice President of the China-Italy Chamber of Commerce in Southwest. "We want to attract more new companies and boost the import-export between Italy and the southwest region, particularly in Chongqing."
Bazzoni highlighted the China-Italy Chamber of Commerce as a vital means to enhance economic cooperation. Aimed at becoming a central platform in Chongqing for lifestyle, food and beverage, and heavy industry, it seeks to facilitate interactions between Italian and local companies.
Bazzoni stated that Chongqing's strategic position as a hub for heavy industry and e-mobility has already attracted significant investment from Italy.
For instance, Italian heavy industry firms like SFH and Sofima Filters have made notable localized investments in automotive components, especially in e-mobility, bolstering the automotive sector and its related industries.
Bazzoni noted Italy's global leadership in renewable energy and circular economy initiatives and emphasized efforts to synchronize with China's 2030 renewable energy plan.
UK fintech, healthcare delegation to visit Chongqing soon
Nicole Li, Regional Director of China UK Business Development Centre, highlighted Chongqing's status as a hub for advanced manufacturing and technology, attracting global investors and innovators. She emphasized its potential to facilitate bilateral cooperation between the UK and China.
With professional services constituting 80% of the UK's GDP, the Centre aims to utilize this expertise to cultivate mutually beneficial partnerships with enterprises in Chongqing.
Li said that at the end of May, the Centre intends to arrange a delegation comprising 15 UK companies specializing in fintech and healthcare to visit Chongqing to seek cooperation opportunities.
Chongqing has seen collaboration between UK professional service providers and local companies across sectors, with notable entities like Savills, BSI, and Arup forming partnerships in real estate, standards, finance, and beyond.
The China-UK Business Development Centre intends to work closely with the British consulate in Chongqing to enhance bilateral trade and investment. Serving as a bridge between UK businesses and their counterparts in Chongqing, the Centre aims to foster new opportunities for economic growth and innovation.