After 20 years in Shanghai, French art collector Christian Devillers has seen the city transform. Today, he runs Fotografiska Shanghai, the first Asian venue of the renowned photography museum founded in Stockholm.

"To be in Asia, we had to be in China. And to be in China, we had to be in Shanghai," said Devillers. Thanks to a dedicated government team and a pocket-sized "business passport" connecting companies with resources ranging from tax services to business registration, the city's new riverside cultural landmark went from concept to opening in just nine months.

"Moving from industry to technology, to fashion, and now to culture is only possible in a place like Shanghai," he said. "This is one of the reasons why I've decided to stay here."