On January 25, the 2024 Sanlongwan Green Industry Promotion and Exchange Conference, jointly organized by the Management Committee of Foshan Sino-German Industrial Service Zone (Foshan Sanlongwan Sci-Tech City) and the International Business Office of North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, was successfully held. Representatives from China and Germany engaged in lively discussions aboard the Sanlongwan No. 1 cruise ship on topics such as Sino-German green economic cooperation and the business environment in the Sino-German Industrial Service Zone.

Business leaders gathered for mutually beneficial cooperation

This event marks the first international industrial exchange activity held by Foshan Sino-German Industrial Service Zone in 2024, aiming to broaden cooperation with Europe and Germany, laying a solid foundation for investment attraction and win-win collaborations in the new year.

During the event, Liang Jie, Director of the Guangzhou Office of the International Business Office of North Rhine-Westphalia, introduced the business opportunities in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. Paul Recknagel, Head of the German-Chinese Climate Project at the German international cooperation agency, shared insights into Sino-German green economic cooperation. Dr. Ding Yu, a Ph.D. in Economics from the University of Cologne and an international expert in sustainable finance, discussed bridging the gap between environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG) as tools for profit and risk management in sustainable development and green finance.

Strengthening cooperation to share new opportunities in green industries

As a major hub in the manufacturing sector, Foshan is witnessing the emergence of green manufacturing as a new trend in its industrial development. While driving the digital transformation of traditional manufacturing and promoting green and low-carbon initiatives, Foshan is also vigorously cultivating strategic emerging industries like new energy.

In recent years, Foshan has been steadfastly advancing green and low-carbon technological research, focusing on fundamental research and technology development in areas such as new energy, new materials, and energy efficiency. Currently, Foshan boasts 36 green factories, one green industrial park, eight green supply chain management enterprises, five green integrated projects, two industrial product green demonstration enterprises, and 90 green design products.

The Foshan Sino-German Industrial Service Zone is a specialized zone established by the Foshan Municipal Government to serve the development of German enterprises in China. Over the past decade, it has created a high-quality business environment for German and European businesses. In terms of city infrastructure, several exemplary projects have been completed in areas such as high-quality water supply, sponge cities, and green buildings. Notable landmarks like the Century Lotus Sports Center, Foshan Cultural Center Square Tower, and Sino-German Service Center are examples of green architecture designed by renowned German (European) institutions. The Tan Zhou International Convention and Exhibition Center was also designed with consultation from Germany's Hanover Exhibition Company.

Currently, the Sino-German Industrial Service Zone has officially introduced special support measures to enhance industrial cooperation with Germany.

Furthermore, the service zone has established several specialized European industrial parks. For those companies who are newly arrived in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Greater Bay Area and wishes to set up a small-scale production assembly base, Sanlongwan Sino-German Industrial Park Innovation Incubation Base would be a good option. This base is aimed at European small and medium-sized enterprises in intelligent manufacturing. Meanwhile, there is also a high-standard industrial manufacturing park for companies requiring a larger-scale production space. Companies in the biopharmaceutical field can join the Sanlongwan Sino-German Biopharmaceutical Industrial Park.

Additionally, the Sino-German Industrial Service Zone has launched the "Greater Bay Area Sino-German Market Partnership Program," offering essential market integration services for European companies interested in tapping into the Greater Bay Area market but have not yet established a presence there.

This event not only provided a platform for exchange and connection between green industry enterprises in Foshan and Germany but also showcased Foshan's industrial strength to European institutions and companies participating in the conference.

Reporter | Serena

Revisor | Lynn, Eleanor

Photo | Nanfang Plus