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【改革开放40周年40人】JETRO Shanghai Director: Hongqiao Development Zone’s Japanese pull
By:Wang Xiaoyang, Chao Siyuan, Wu Qiong  |  From:english.eastday.com  |  2018-08-24 08:57

JETRO Shanghai Director: Hongqiao Development Zone’s Japanese pull

Covering an area of only 0.65 square kilometers, the Shanghai Hongqiao Economic and Technological Development Zone located in the west of Shanghai was planned in 1979, constructed in 1983 and became one of the first 14 economic and technological development zones approved by the State Council in 1986. Much favored by foreign businesses, it is now the only business district in China with the characteristics of a foreign trade center, which integrates the functions of exhibition, fair, office, business, living, travelling and foreign affairs.

Among the foreign businesses in the Zone, Japanese companies and institutions take up a large portion. Among them is JETRO (Japan External Trade Organization) Shanghai. Funded by the Japanese government, JETRO has played a crucial role in promoting Sino-Japanese trade and investment exchanges and Sino-Japanese economic cooperation.

Established in 1985, JETRO Shanghai is the 2nd representative office of JETRO established in the Chinese mainland after Beijing. It is also the largest JETRO representative office in China. Michiaki Oguri, Director of JETRO Shanghai, told Eastday.com that there are now 2,400 members in the Shanghai Japanese Commerce and Industry Club and one quarter of those are based in Changning, scattered around the Hongqiao Development Zone. The large number and high density is very rare in other parts of the world outside Japan.

(Changing looks of Hongqiao Development Zone from 1985 to 2003)

(A bird’s-eye view of Hongqiao Development Zone)

Why do Japanese businesses come?

The history between Japanese companies and the Hongqiao Development Zone dates back to 1985, as the construction of the Zone is inseparable from Japanese companies. “The Sun Plaza in Hongqiao Development Zone was invested and built by the Japanese. In 1994, JETRO Shanghai also moved in from the city center. Then at the end of 1999, we moved to the current Shanghai International Trade Center,” said Michiaki.

Today, the building of the Shanghai International Trade Center is home to many Japanese organizations including JETRO Shanghai, the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) and Japan-China Economic Association. The clustering effect has attracted more and more Japanese companies. Michiaki told us, “The stable environment assures Japanese companies considering entering Shanghai that they can start a business in Shanghai.”

Besides the long history, another reason behind the clustering of Japanese companies in the Hongqiao Development Zone is Shanghai Hongqiao Economic & Technological Development Zone United Development Co., Ltd. (now affiliated to Shanghai Land Minhong (Group)). The company has committed itself to meeting the demands of foreign investors and constantly improving the supporting facilities in the development zone.

“The development company often exchanges opinions and cooperates with Japanese companies. Japanese restaurants can be seen everywhere and the beautiful parks are open 24 hours a day. That’s why many Japanese companies choose to set up branches or offices here. For the Japanese, life and work here are very convenient. I am looking forward to more new office buildings and better services in the future,” said Michiaki.

In his opinion, the development zone’s efforts in meeting foreign business’ demands and enhancing its software is the key to Shanghai’s continuous improvement of its business environment and investment attraction. He expects that the Shanghai government can listen more to the voices of foreign-invested enterprises. For example, in the citywide investigation, many companies have contributed their suggestions to the government. Nowadays, Shanghai has reached a first-class level in the hardware of attracting investment. He hopes that in terms of software, Shanghai can also aim towards the world. “Shanghai has the ability to achieve that.”

(Michiaki Oguri during an interview with Eastday.com)

China: changed and unchanged

For Michiaki, his history with China starts from Hongqiao, when the 1995 ProPak China was held in the Shanghai International Exhibition Center in Hongqiao Development Zone. JETRO organized a group of Japanese companies to attend the event and it was Michiaki’s 1st overseas business trip and his 1st visit to China.

Recalling the past, he said, “My first impression of Shanghai was that the city was full of energy and vitality. In 1990, Shanghai began to develop Pudong. In 1992, Deng Xiaoping’s speech during his South China tour accelerated the pace of China’s reform and opening up. So when I was walking on the streets of Shanghai, I could feel the motivation of the Chinese people.” At that time, as he knew nothing about Chinese, he thought people were quarreling with each other when they were speaking. Later he understood that Chinese people are always full of energy. And he can still feel the vigor today.

“During the 40 years of reform and opening up, China has completely changed,” said Michiaki with amazement. He is particularly impressed by the improvement of the legal system and the government’s administration services.

“Laws and systems of import and export trade and foreign investment were incomplete in the past, and Japanese companies used to suffer from the irregularities. Now the situation is better, and the efficiency of administration has also improved. I am especially impressed by the e-government that has developed rapidly in recent years. This year, the government has pushed forward the ‘One-stop Government Service’ reform, and many formalities can be done online, which has significantly increased work efficiency.”

Despite the changes, Michiaki observed that there are still some things unchanged during the past years: the energetic Chinese people; the delicious xiaolongbao; and Shanghai is still an open, inclusive and attractive city.

In addition, he also found that the East China region, with Shanghai as the center, has always been the most active region for Japanese investment and trade in China. In his view, that is due to Shanghai’s openness. Shanghai has been at the forefront of China’s reform and opening up, from the development of Pudong in the 1990s to the establishment of the China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone in 2013. Shanghai, which keeps pace with the times and continuously deepens reform and opening up, provides an excellent platform for Japanese companies to enter China, thus making it the most active destination for Japanese companies to invest and trade in for decades.

Looking forward to CIIE

When asked about his expectation for China’s further reform and opening up, Michiaki wrote down three Chinese words: open, inclusive, and sharing. And that will be best interpreted by the first China International Import Expo (CIIE) to be held at the National Exhibition and Convention Center in Shanghai from November 5th to 10th this year.

(The National Exhibition and Convention Center in Shanghai)

“In recent years, although the global volume of trade is rising, the growth rate of GDP of each country has been slowing down. Some countries have even adopted ‘anti-globalization’ policies which are gaining more support. In this context, how to maintain a free trade system, increase trade, and develop the economy have become important issues facing all countries. China, which contributes 30% to global economic growth as the second largest economy in terms of global trade, is going to hold the China International Import Expo and take the initiative to open its market to the world, providing a platform for trade and cooperation between countries. That means a lot.”

JETRO is also very supportive of the first CIIE. As the only organizer from Japan, JETRO has gathered more than 200 Japanese companies for the expo, taking up an exhibition area of 20,000 square meters. Through this event, Michiaki hopes to introduce more safe and easy-to-use Japanese goods and share a better and high-quality life with Chinese consumers.

(Michiaki’s expectation for China’s further reform and opening up: open, inclusive, and sharing)


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