On 5 September 2025, European Chamber Vice President and South China Board Chair Mr. Fabian Blake met with Mr. Li Meng, Director General of the Shenzhen Investment Promotion Bureau and Deputy Party Secretary of the Shenzhen Commerce Bureau.
The meeting focused on deepening EU–Shenzhen cooperation to create a more transparent and accessible business environment for European SMEs. Discussions covered the planned meeting between Shenzhen municipal leaders and European Chamber President on 5 November, continued collaboration in green energy, digital economy, advanced manufacturing (particularly robotics and batteries), low-altitude economy, retail, and pharmaceuticals, and Shenzhen’s ongoing GBA Individual Income Tax (IIT) incentives for high-level foreign talents, which benefit many EU SMEs operating in the region.
Both sides also explored the possibility of co-organising a 2026 conference focusing on the pharmaceutical and healthcare industries, which would provide a platform for EU SMEs to connect with local partners, regulators, and investors.
Mr. Blake highlighted the outcomes of the EU–China Summit in Beijing, underscoring the importance of regional engagement for SMEs, while Mr. Li noted the 45th anniversary of the Shenzhen Special Economic Zone, reaffirming Shenzhen’s role as a hub for innovation and international cooperation.
This meeting directly supports the Chamber’s EU SME Centre Phase V objectives by enhancing dialogue with local authorities, facilitating EU SMEs’ access to new policy information and industrial opportunities, and strengthening their integration into Shenzhen’s dynamic business ecosystem.
