Guangzhou and Shenzhen ranked as the 2 most popular investment city within a list of 44 cities in China, according to special reports released by the American Chamber of Commerce in South China (AmCham South China) on March 1st.

This was the first time that Guangzhou and Shenzhen have achieved the coveted top spots in AmCham South China’s 2018 White Paper on the Business Environment in China and 2018 Special Report on the State of Business in South China.

Guangdong’s Ten Measures are in a proper time

“The good news is that foreign companies are cautiously more optimistic as the central and local governments are giving signals that they will open up the market and welcome more foreign investment,” said AmCham South China President Dr. Harley Seyedin.

The report says Guangdong government is showing a more open approach toward foreign investment as Guangdong government released “Policies and Measures of Guangdong Province on Further Expanding Opening-up and Actively Attracting Foreign Direct Investment (FDI)” in December 2017, commonly known as Ten Measures for Attracting FDI. The measures cover focal points for foreign enterprises including market access, land use, talent support, which were praised by many attendants.

According to Seyedin, these measures are in a proper time, since many foreign companies in Guangdong, especially those in Guangzhou and Shenzhen, are facing urgent landing problems.

Free trade zones increasingly attractive for foreigners

At the same time, the 2018 Special Report demonstrated that there was a remarkable increase in the number of respondents interested in free trade zones in Southern China.

According to the report, about 52.4% are interested in opening new offices or facilities in a free trade zone located in Southern China, up 7.7% from 2016 survey.

More specifically, more than 55.2 percent indicated their preference in Guangdong Nansha Free Trade Zone, followed by its counterparts in Qianhai, and Hengqin.