People with different languages and skin colors share the same vision. With the arrival of advisors, the International Consultative Conference on the Future Economic Development of Guangdong Province 2009 (GDICC 2009) opens today (19th).

On Nov 18th, entrusted by Governor Huang Huahua, Executive Vice Governor Huang Longyun, Vice Governor Tong Xing, and Vice Governor Wan Qingliang met with 9 advisors from world renowned companies including General Electric Company, FedEx Express and UPS from the US, EDF and Capgemini from France, Siemens AG from Germany, ABB Ltd. from Switzerland, Marubeni Corporation from Japan, and BP from the UK.

On behalf of Guangdong Provincial Government, Huang Longyun, Tong Xing, and Wan Qingliang extended their warmest welcome to the advisors. In a relaxed and congenial atmosphere, they discussed with these "foreign brains" on future development of Guangdong with an effort to seek common ground and cooperation.

The leaders said, the recommendations offered by the advisors have played an important role in the province's economic and social development, as some were integrated into the strategic planning and macro policies, and some were transformed into concrete measures to promote the development of industries and enterprises. This GDICC is held against very significant background, since Guangdong is now in a critical period of tackling global financial crisis and upgrading industries. We hope the advisors can provide more good ideas on the sustainable development of Guangdong.

Huang Longyun (R),Executive Vice Governor met with Mr. Olli-Pekka Kallasvuo (L), CEO of Nokia Corporation. (The  picture is provided by the Guangdong Provincial Archives.)

In line with the development reality of Guangzhou, the discussions between governors and advisors mainly focused on how to transform and upgrade industries and maintain economic growth. In particular, low-carbon economy has become a topic of great interest during many of these meetings.

Mr. John G. Rice, Vice Chairman, President and CEO of Technology Infrastructure of General Electric Company said: " We've realized that promoting an environment-friendly and green economy is one of the priorities for Guangdong. And we enjoy advanced technologies in developing renewable energies such as solar, wind energy, and clean coal. Our next step is to extend our cooperation beyond solar energy."

ABB Executive Vice President Peter Leupp suggested that Guangdong Government guide companies in systematically integrating energies, and improving the application of renewable energies by developing smart power grid.

"You will find ideal partners in Guangdong." Huang Longyun responded and added that the concepts of green and health are what the province needs most. Guangdong has seen continuous improvement in market size, people's income and living standards. We need first-class products which require support of cutting-edge technologies. We hope GDICC can build a platform for Guangdong and advisory corporations to enhance their cooperation. Tong Xing said, currently the entire world is promoting low-carbon economy which is also a goal set by Guangdong. In the future, we can have more extensive cooperation for economic development.

 Vice Governor Wan Qingliang (R) met with Dr. Thomas M. Connelly (L), Jr.,Executive Vice President & Chief Innovation Officer of DuPont.(The  picture is provided by the Guangdong Provincial Archives.)

Advisors from UPS and FedEx Express are very interested in the development of logistics in Guangdong. Wan Qingliang said, modern logistics industry is a major component of the province's modern industrial system. We have drawn the idea of building a business and trade logistics circle with Guangzhou and Shenzhen as the center, cities and towns in the PRD, east, north, and west of Guangdong as the support. In this way, a modern fully-equipped logistics network will be established to connect the surrounding provinces as well South East Asia.

Taking this rare opportunity, advisors also introduced to the leaders their further plan of investment in Guangdong, and the difficulties they've encountered in promoting investment projects. Huang Longyun, Tong Xing, and Wan Qingliang responded by saying that relevant departments of the provincial government will give full support to the investment projects of the advisory corporations in Guangdong.

Editor: Miranda