Over the past 20 years the ICCFED has served as an important channel for Guangdong to expand its international exchange. (Provided to Newsgd.com)

Guangdong, China’s province famous for its economic performance, now is ready to greet twelve foreign consultants, hoping to solicit their insight on the province’s development, especially on the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA).

The province will hold the 12th International Consultative Conference on the Future Economic Development of Guangdong Province (ICCFED) from November 21st to 22nd, on the theme of “Embracing Opportunities of Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Development and Advancing Guangdong's Opening-Up to A Higher Level”.

●Special Report: 2019 ICCFED

BASF opened a liaison office in western Guangdong this April. (Provided to Newsgd.com)

Wanting to grow in and with Guangdong

This year the Governor of Guangdong Province has invited twelve foreign consultants from some of the world's leading institutions, including Ericsson, Siemens, Fraunhofer Society, U.S. Chamber of Commerce and so on. Most of them are very closely connected with Guangdong.

At the same time, 18 representatives from 11 famous multinationals which are closely connected with Guangdong will participate.

Dr. Martin Brudermueller, Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of BASF SE as well as a new friend of the ICCFED, expressed his expectations about the coming conference, saying that Guangdong has always been the forerunner in China’s reform and opening up and BASF wants to grow both in and with Guangdong.

In January BASF, the largest chemicals manufacturer in the world, signed an agreement with Guangdong setting out further details of its plan to establish a new smart Verbund site in Zhanjiang, (a city in the west of Guangdong), the company’s second Verbund site in China.

With the help of economic advisers of ICCFED, Guangdong has witnessed its rapid development in recent years. The above file photo shows the Taishan Nuclear Power Station. (Source: Nanfang Daily)

20th anniversary of the ICCFED

Since its inception in 1999, every two years the Governor of the province has invited foreign consultants to Guangzhou, seeking their practical advise and active involvement, and discussing the development of the province.

During the past 20 years, 154 senior leaders from 61 of the Fortune Global 500 multinational corporations and world-renowned institutions have proposed a number of forward-looking and targeted suggestions, many of which have subsequently been adopted and put into practice.

These years the ICCFED has served as an important channel for Guangdong to expand its international exchange and learn the international community’s experience in economic development, and has played a significant role in improving the government’s decision-making, raising Guangdong’s international profile and influence, and facilitating Guangdong’s cooperation with international enterprises and organizations.

Guangdong has also received tremendous positive feedback from foreign consultants.

Mr. Myron Brilliant, Executive Vice President and Head of International Affairs at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and also an old friend of ICCFED, indicated that Guangdong has been a leader in forging strong relationships at the sub-national level, setting positive examples for economic cooperation between the United States and China. The ICCFED helps to facilitate and reinforce these important efforts, which are in the mutual interest of the two nations.

Reported by Nan, Hannah

Video by Mia

Edited by Wing, Simon