But their voices are the same... Different industries, these foreign enterprise leaders are here today in Shanghai Jijiyitang Greater China | Global | Foreign Enterprises

Shanghai's "headquarters economy" circle of friends has welcomed another group of "new partners". On the morning of July 18th, Shanghai issued certificates for the 37th batch of regional headquarters and R&D centers of multinational corporations, and a batch of foreign-funded projects were signed in a centralized manner. The head of a foreign enterprise who has been awarded a certificate and participated in the centralized signing activity said in an interview after the meeting: looking forward to the future, firmly optimistic about Shanghai, and continuing to increase investment in China is still the best choice for enterprises.

Enterprises follow the industry chain

The super large market size and the supporting capacity of the entire industry chain are the secrets of Shanghai becoming the most concentrated city in mainland China for absorbing multinational corporations.

Rom Group is one of the world's leading producers of methacrylate, and certified Rom Chemical Co., Ltd. serves as the Asia headquarters of the group, responsible for providing high-quality products and solutions to customers in China and other Asian countries and regions.

The organic glass products produced by Rom Chemical Co., Ltd. are used for large aircraft portholes.

According to Ling Hongen, the President of Rom Group's Asia region, the integrated production facility for methacrylate located in the Shanghai Chemical Industry Park was put into operation in 2009 with a total investment of 2.5 billion yuan. The new expansion project of polymethyl methacrylate was laid in 2022 and will soon be put into operation this year.

"This time, the PMMA production line has increased from two to three, which is precisely due to the rapid development of the new energy vehicle industry in Shanghai. Enterprises follow the industry chain, and in the future, the production capacity of the Shanghai base will not only meet the local market, but also export a large amount to foreign countries. In addition to producing conventional products, more advanced scratch resistant and high-temperature resistant modified products will also be introduced."

Shanghai is a hub for the automotive industry, and there are many upstream and downstream enterprises of new energy settling down. The advantage of the dual industry chain has also made Bai Lisong, the General Manager of Faurecia Hydrogen China who participated in the centralized signing event, equally excited. "We plan to achieve a market share of 20% in the field of hydrogen energy storage in China," he said. As a result, the company has set up research and development centers in Shanghai and Shenyang respectively, and controls two hydrogen storage bottle production and manufacturing bases. Various types of products have been launched into the market, and it is expected to provide more than 4000 sets and more than 30000 sets of hydrogen storage systems to the Chinese market by 2025 and 2030, respectively.

Coincidentally, among the companies participating in the interview activity, there are quite a few related to industries such as automobiles and new energy, such as Aidak Vehicle Design Co., Ltd., Lenz Transmission System Co., Ltd.

Innovation follows talent

The numerous universities and research institutes, as well as the gathering of various talents, are also important reasons for Shanghai to attract foreign-funded enterprises to take root. Innovation follows talent, and in the interview, the leaders of foreign enterprises also expressed a common voice.

Zaiding Pharmaceutical is an innovative global biopharmaceutical company with its headquarters and R&D center located in Pudong. In 2021, they increased their capital by 100 million US dollars, and in 2022, they increased their capital by 50 million US dollars. Currently, their registered capital reaches 467 million US dollars. On July 18th, they signed a framework contract with Pudong New Area to continue capital increase.

Why are you optimistic about Shanghai? Yan Shuizhong, Chief Operating Officer of Global R&D at Zaiding Pharmaceutical, said, "The biopharmaceutical industry is a convergence of technology, talent, and capital. Thanks to the agglomeration effect of Shanghai on biopharmaceutical talents, Zaiding has continuously attracted a group of outstanding talents with international leadership experience and overseas returnees in its development process, building an experienced international leadership team and scientific consulting team spanning China and the United States."

He introduced that the next five years will be a crucial period for Zaiding Pharmaceutical to embark on rapid growth, with an expected 15 commercial products and 8 research and development projects with global interests entering clinical practice. "We will continue to increase capital in Shanghai, which will be used for drug research and development, production, commercialization projects, as well as cooperation with universities and research institutes."

Many people are still a little strange to Jinsi Architectural Design Firm. In fact, it is not far away from people as it is a provider of well-known professional architectural design services such as Shanghai center Building, Starbucks Zhenxuan Workshop, Zhangjiang Science Gate Twin Towers, etc.

The office of Jinsi Architectural Design Firm Co., Ltd.

According to Li Xiaomei, Global Director and CEO of Jinsi Architectural Design Firm Limited, who has been awarded the Greater China Headquarters Certificate, Gensler was founded in 1965 as a global architecture, design, and planning company. In 2004, Gensler's Shanghai office was established.

"The fusion of Eastern and Western cultures in Shanghai has always been the most fashionable place in China, and one of the best in Asia. In Shanghai, the vitality and creativity of talents are also unparalleled." She said that after the establishment of the Greater China headquarters, they will use the Shanghai headquarters as the design and creative center of Gensler Greater China, establish a global integrated design platform, and provide outstanding designs with international perspectives and local cultural heritage for owners. "In addition, Shanghai's urban renewal efforts are significant. After the establishment of the Greater China headquarters, we also need to mobilize more international talent resources and actively participate in it."