On 25 August, Ms Danica Mai, Vice Chair of the European Chamber South China SME Forum, represented the Chamber at the Guangzhou Industry Conference in Yuexiu District.
The conference brought together representatives from government departments, international chambers of commerce and business associations, as well as Chinese and international companies. Government participants included representatives from the Guangzhou Municipal Commerce Bureau, Guangzhou Council for the Promotion of International Trade, Guangzhou Municipal Industry and Information Technology Bureau, Guangzhou Municipal Foreign Affairs Office and Yuexiu District Government.
During a government VIP meeting held prior to the conference, Ms Mai introduced the work of the European Chamber’s SME Forum and the EU SME Centre, highlighting their role in supporting European SMEs with market access, regulatory compliance and business development in China.Drawing on feedback from European SMEs operating in the Greater Bay Area, Ms Mai shared recommendations for further improving Guangzhou’s business environment. She called for stronger intellectual property protection, enhanced support for attracting and retaining skilled talent, and better access to government policies, resources and cooperation opportunities for AI adoption and digital transformation.
During the conference, the Guangzhou Government also launched a market cultivation initiative primarily aimed at supporting SMEs. The initiative seeks to strengthen market development, foster the growth of specialised and innovative businesses, and promote the upgrading of local industries.
