Editor's note: The 2024 Guangdong High-Quality Development Conference will kick off in Shenzhen on February 18. GDToday interviewed a number of representatives of international Chambers of Commerce in Guangdong for their insights and suggestions into the province's high-quality development.
"Guangdong is a major economic powerhouse. It truly helps American companies do businesses," said Harley Seyedin, President of the American Chamber of Commerce in South China, in an exclusive interview with GDToday.
Guangdong has remained the engine of economic growth in China for the past 35 years. According to the 2024 Guangdong Government Work Report, the province's total import and export volume reached a record high of 8.3 trillion RMB in 2023. Additionally, its actual utilization of foreign capital reached over 159.16 billion RMB, with 21,685 new foreign-invested enterprises.
Seyedin mentioned that the province has a transparent government, a massive consumer market, and provides an area for research and development, high technology, and highly-qualified talent. This offers American companies a bright future.
"Our companies are very happy and profitable in Guangdong, and therefore they always continue to invest," said Seyedin. He highlighted that the province's array of new regulations enables American companies to advance technology and bring additional up-to-date equipment into China.
Furthermore, the modern production facilities produced by Guangdong-based manufacturers are also helpful to American enterprises. "We can utilize Chinese manufacturers as our OEM (original equipment manufacturer) that have better energy efficiency capabilities, modern development technology, and robotics," explained Seyedin. "The higher the quality of our products, the greater our future market share will be."
Moreover, Seyedin also shared with GDToday about American companies' investment in Guangdong's rural areas. He was impressed by the massive transportation network all around the province.
"Super highways, high-speed rails, and the network of high-speed light rails connect all of the cities and bring itself to the level where we can actually invest in those areas and not feel as if we are in the countryside or in remote areas, simply because we can manufacture and ship our goods and services around China and other parts of the world," he said. "Remote areas of Guangdong Province provide the lowest cost centers, and we are constantly looking at new areas where we can invest."
Reporter | Nan, Nancy
Video | Wingheng
Poster | Mia, Lulu
Editors | Olivia, Nan, Will, Monica, James
