European Chamber South China Board Member Addresses Promotional Conference on Business and Travel Activities in Guangdong for Foreigners

2024-07-25 | South China

On July 25, European Chamber South China Board Member and HR Forum Vice Chair Ms Blandine Cressard was invited to participate and deliver a speech at the Promotional Conference on Business and Travel Activities in Guangdong for Foreigners in Guangzhou. The event was also attended by Mr Zhang Jinsong, Director General of the Department of Commerce of Guangdong Province, and Ms Cheng Wei, Division Director of the Department of Culture and Tourism of Guangdong Province.

During the speech, Ms Cressard highlighted that the introduction of China's 144-hour visa-free policy had shown signs of a positive impact on European businesspeople. This policy allows short-term business visits without a visa, making it easier for European professionals to enter China for meetings, negotiations, and networking events.

Ms Cressard also noted that for the EU SMEs, this policy significantly lowers the barriers to entry, providing them with more opportunities to explore and establish a presence in the Chinese market. It allows SMEs to efficiently conduct market research, engage with potential partners, and attend industry-specific events without the administrative burden of securing a visa. This streamlined process is crucial for SMEs, which often operate with limited resources and need to maximize their time and efforts during business trips.

In closing, Ms Cressard expressed heartfelt gratitude to the Guangdong government for their unwavering support and dedication to creating a favourable environment for international businesses and reaffirmed the European Chamber's commitment to supporting European Companies in navigating and thriving in the Chinese market.