Shanghai's Huangpu district is cultivating an international business environment that is market-driven, law-based, and aligned with global best practices.

The district's 2026 plan outlines four key initiatives: enhancing government services, ensuring fair competition, strengthening industry capabilities, and advancing collaborative governance to optimize the business climate and promote the Business-Friendly Huangpu brand.

Key points of the initiatives include:

1. Enhancing government services

Expanding 'bring in' services

Huangpu aims to attract more foreign-funded enterprise headquarters, cluster more foreign-invested businesses, and optimize the structure of foreign investments.

The district plans to enhance the Huaihai Xintiandi innovative demonstration area for imports, and strengthen the cultivation of Authorized Economic Operators.

The AEO program was advocated by the World Customs Organization in 2007 to strengthen international supply chain security and facilitate the movement of legitimate goods.

Under the AEO, customs authorities from various countries and regions form partnerships with industries to collaboratively cut barriers to customs procedures and enhance international trade efficiency.

Efforts will also be made to implement innovative customs supervision and service measures to facilitate trade.

Streamlining entry-exit services

By collaborating with immigration and port authorities, Huangpu will streamline entry and exit processes for high-end business professionals, top-tier talent, and essential materials to ensure the smooth conduct of major international communication events, conferences, and competitions hosted in the district.

2. Ensuring fair competition

Deepening 'service + regulation' reform

Huangpu will focus on both regulation and service, providing compliance guidance to enterprises and shifting from "law enforcement and regulation" to "service + regulation".

The district will enhance the integration of mediation, litigation, and arbitration processes, upgrading platforms such as the Pujiang Harmony Commercial Mediation Alliance and the Xintiandi International Commercial Circuit Trial Station to reduce the time required to resolve commercial disputes.

Strengthening intellectual property protection

A new base for overseas rights protection assistance will be established to enhance companies' abilities to protect their rights abroad.

Huangpu will regulate intermediary services provided by trademark, patent, and other agencies, and improve the functions of the Xintiandi Foreign-Related Intellectual Property Prosecution Workstation.

The district will also establish a coordinated network for IP protection in key sectors like scientific and technological innovation, as well as the gold and jewelry industries, implementing a "strict protection, rapid coordination" mechanism.

3. Strengthening industry capabilities

Optimizing the industrial development ecosystem

Huangpu will focus on fintech as a primary direction, alongside the development of four major industrial clusters for financial services, sci-tech innovation services, commerce, tourism, culture, sports, exhibitions, and professional services.

The district will refine its industry policy system to support niche sectors, including the brain-computer interface and life sciences.

By concentrating on industry and resource aggregation, Huangpu will support the development of distinctive industrial buildings and parks, such as the Bund FTC and the Gold Bund International Plaza, tailoring innovation ecosystems to local needs.

Enhancing talent services

The Bund Service Center for International Professionals will be further developed to improve comprehensive services for high-level talent, including housing, healthcare, culture, and lifestyle.

Professional events such as We Shine Together will be organized to attract young, innovative, and entrepreneurial talent, creating a youth-friendly entrepreneurial ecosystem.

4. Advancing collaborative governance

Facilitating government-business communication

Huangpu will leverage regular communication platforms such as business forums, roundtables, and visits to key enterprises to maintain effective feedback channels and foster a positive interaction between government, enterprises, and society.

Building collaborative efforts

The district will strengthen systems such as the business environment ambassador system and the business partners system, deepening cooperation with industry associations, think tanks, and institutions of higher education to improve service levels and satisfy enterprise needs.

The Business-Friendly Huangpu brand will be promoted, showcasing innovative cases and leveraging media observers to tell the story of Huangpu's business environment improvements through quality content creation.

Source: Huangpu district government

Note: The English text is for reference only. In case of any discrepancies, the Chinese version shall prevail.