Shanghai, 21 October 2024 — BritCham Shanghai, represented by Chair Kirsten Johnston, Executive Director Stuart Dunn, and Consultant Director Alex Roberts, together with TheCityUK’s Managing Director Nicola Watkinson and Asia Pacific Head Mao Zhouchen had a meeting with the Shanghai Municipal Commission of Commerce (SCOFCOM) and Invest Shanghai.
Vice Chairman of SCOFCOM, Mr. He Dongbin, warmly welcomed the delegation and provided an overview of the economic and trade relations between Shanghai and the UK. Mr. He emphasised that Shanghai remains a key destination for UK companies investing in China, while the UK continues to attract Shanghai enterprises expanding abroad. He expressed hope that BritCham Shanghai, with its extensive British corporate membership in East China, would continue fostering collaboration between businesses in both regions. Mr. He also reaffirmed SCOFCOM’s commitment to working closely with the Chamber to support British businesses through policy promotion, government-business dialogue.
Kirsten Johnston thanked SCOFCOM for its ongoing support of the British business community. She highlighted BritCham Shanghai’s focus on empowering UK businesses in Shanghai, particularly through SME support and business-to-government (B2G) engagement. She also discussed recent initiatives to connect British companies with Shanghai’s rapidly evolving market and emphasised the Chamber’s commitment to proactive engagement and tailored support for its members.
In her visit to Shanghai, Nicola Watkinson introduced TheCityUK, a leading industry body representing the UK’s financial and professional services sectors. She shared that TheCityUK promotes international trade, economic development, and innovation across key sectors such as banking, asset management, insurance, and legal services. Nicola underscored TheCityUK’s commitment to strengthening UK-China cooperation and supporting UK companies in Shanghai’s dynamic market.
Reflecting BritCham Shanghai’s dedication to bridging policy with practical business needs, Kirsten shared plans for future collaborations with SCOFCOM, including participation in upcoming events like the China International Import Expo (CIIE). She noted that such events play a vital role in showcasing the strength of UK-China commercial partnerships and in providing British businesses with valuable exposure to new opportunities in Shanghai.
At the close of the meeting, BritCham Shanghai reiterated its dedication to ongoing collaboration with SCOFCOM. In this spirit, BritCham Shanghai extended a warm invitation for SCOFCOM to join the Chamber’s 110th anniversary celebration and the ESG Awards during Shanghai Climate Week, both of which will take place next year and celebrate leadership in sustainability. BritCham Shanghai and SCOFCOM emphasised the importance of maintaining open lines of communication to navigate changing market conditions, strengthen support for SMEs, and build meaningful connections for the UK and Shanghai businesses.
