Mayor of Shenyang meets with the European Chamber

2019-07-09 | Shenyang

Mayor of Shenyang meets with the European Chamber

Harald Kumpfert, chair, European Chamber Shenyang Chapter, met with Jiang Youwei, mayor of Shenyang at the Shenyang government buildings on 9th July 2019, together with four other foreign business associations. All sides exchanged opinions on the business environment in Shenyang.

Mayor Jiang Youwei welcomed the representatives and requested frank feedback on the Shenyang business environment. Mr Kumpfert recognised Shenyang Municipal Government’s efforts to implement changes in the city since the Shenyang Position Paper 2017/2018 was released. In particular he noted that the air quality has improved, the business environment more open, and many human resources and international school issues have been well resolved.

Mr Kumpfert then brought up the constructive advices which were collected from the members companies in the past year, extracted into 3 key issues, as follows:

  • Transparency of business policy. Future policy and requirement on emission and energy control, energy supply, pricing. The government was suggested to think of organising a workshop with Chamber’s member companies, producing a guideline following the discussion.
  • City’s attractiveness. Shenyang government should take initiatives to make Shenyang a more charming city with better image. E.g. upgrade the public transport system; make easier access to the airport; promote the places of interests with marketing concept.
  • Social credit system for companies.

Mayor Jiang Youwei appreciated the questions and advices, he assigned the tasks to relevant bureaus accordingly, and promised to have an annual dialogue, and suggested that the different bureaus should set up regular meetings with business associations and chambers to exchange thoughts. 

Vice Mayor Li Songlin emphasised the cooperation within government bureaus should be facilitated to better assist foreign companies in Shenyang, for example the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade works with Bureau of Commerce and Human Resource Bureau works with Business Environment Construction Bureau.

Other topics were mentioned in the meeting, such as industrial waste treatment, work permit unification and work visa procedures, foreign employee income tax, electric road signs with English language, etc.

Now a frequent dialogue has been established and future exchanges will be made between Shenyang Municipal Government and the European Chamber Shenyang Chapter.