Chongqing -  The 18th Meeting of the Chongqing Mayor's International Economic Advisory Council (CMIA) on September 26-27 will emphasize the growing partnership between Chongqing and France, driven by years of investment from French enterprises.

In 2023, Chongqing exported goods worth 9.38 billion yuan (about USD 1.33 billion) to France, marking a 24.8% year-on-year increase. The main exports included laptops, textiles, clothing, and auto parts.

Chongqing's export figures to France in 2023. (Graphic/Zheng Ran)

The initiative for the meeting of the CMIA traces back to Gérard Mestrallet, former chairman of SUEZ, who recognized Chongqing's potential over 20 years ago. 

His 2005 proposal to form the CMIA led to 17 meetings and generated over 1,200 suggestions to enhance various sectors, including industry, urban development, and technology.

Currently, SUEZ continues its significant partnership with Chongqing under the leadership of Chairman and CEO Sabrina Soussan, who remains a guest advisor on the CMIA. 

SUEZ has been operating in Chongqing since 2002, providing water supply and pipeline services. The completion of all three phases of the Yuelai water plant has increased Chongqing's daily water supply capacity to 1.34 million cubic meters. 

Additionally, the Tangjiatuo Wastewater Treatment Plant, which SUEZ also invested in, has a wastewater treatment capacity of 400,000 m³ per day and can handle 240 tons of sludge daily.

In 2015, SUEZ partnered with Chongqing to focus on comprehensive environmental management, renewable resource utilization, and environmental protection technology. With over four billion RMB invested, Chongqing has become a key city for SUEZ's investments in China, and their collaboration is seen as a model for Sino-foreign partnerships in the water industry.

SUEZ's cooperation with Chongqing continues to deepen. In May 2024, during the sixth meeting of the China-France Entrepreneurship Committee in Paris, SUEZ and Chongqing Sanfeng Environment Group agreed to strengthen their partnership in solid waste management.

They focus on waste incineration, engineering contracting, technology supply, and operations. This collaboration aims to develop the global solid waste market jointly.

SUEZ and Sanfeng Environment signed a Framework Agreement on Comprehensive Strategic Cooperation on May 6, 2024. (Photo/Sanfeng Environment)

Several other French companies are also key players in the CMIA, including STMicroelectronics, Sodefinance, and Schneider Electric. 

Schneider Electric has established its first innovation center in China, Chongqing, focusing on intelligent manufacturing innovation. This center conducts experiments and research on industrial big data and aims to support medium-sized enterprises in smart manufacturing.

Zhang Ruling, Chairman and CEO of Sodefinance, highlighted Chongqing as an ideal location for foreign companies to establish regional headquarters. She expressed her satisfaction with previous investment projects in Chongqing and looked forward to expanding cooperation in rail transportation and industrial manufacturing.

Zhang Ruling, Chairman and CEO of Sodefinance. (Photo/ Zhou Qi)

STMicroelectronics is a newcomer to the CMIA, having recently invested in a semiconductor project in Chongqing with a total investment of 23 billion yuan. This project is expected to produce 10,000 8-inch silicon carbide wafers weekly upon completion in 2028.