Changning creates better environment for foreign investors

Changning District will implement a "pre-establishment national treatment system" and a "negative list" to broaden market access for foreign investment.

The newly released policy means foreign companies will be treated the same as their Chinese counterparts, while the "negative list" only determines industries in which foreign participation is prohibited or limited, the Changning government said yesterday. 

Changning will also work to become the first district to ease market access restrictions on cultural consumption fields for foreign investment. Current restrictions on telecommunication, culture, education and transport are also likely to be eased for foreign enterprises, according to the district government.

"Foreign companies to do business in Changning will only need to fill in a single form and apply at a single service window," an official with the government promised. The district will also improve its mechanism for foreign investors to protect their legal interests and intellectual property rights.

The district announced a collection of efforts and new policies today to create a convenient business environment that meets "advanced international standards."

As another effort, the district will expand its practices in cooperation with Shanghai's quarantine watchdog to speed up the inspection of imported products.

The Shanghai Entry-Exit Inspection and Quarantine Bureau will clear imported products at more companies with a good reputation in Changning District by supervising their manufacturing and transport processes, or by examining sample batches.

Currently, five Changning-based dairy and textile companies have been chosen for a trial operation. Under the scheme, consumers are able to drink fresh milk from New Zealand, for instance, within three days of production, compared to at least eight days under the normal inspection procedures.

The district also plans to expand its “one license with more addresses” trial scheme citywide. Firms based in Changning, especially Internet startups, will be able to operate in multiple addresses across the city and expand more rapidly with only a single business license.

Furthermore, customized preferential policies will be implemented for top professionals who plan to work in the district, the government added.

"The district government will spare no effort to solve the most concerned issues on children's education, medical care, housing and social security for foreign professionals," the government promised yesterday.

Changning has established the city's first district-level foreign expert bureau to serve these highly skilled professionals from abroad. 

The district has also opened a "one-stop service center" for residence permits, foreign expert certificates and related documents. It is located on Jinzhong Road in Hongqiao area.

Its services will be further expanded to become China's most functional and efficient foreign professional service center with the best services, the government said yesterday.

In total, Changning has gathered 273,600 professionals from both home and abroad, which accounts for nearly half of the district's total employment. About 70,000 residents from abroad are living in Changning, accounting for about 30 percent of the city's total foreign population.