Government officials and business executives shared their insights on investment opportunities in Hongkou district of Shanghai at an international investment promotion event held at the Design Innovation Institute Shanghai on Feb 11.

"As a dynamic economic hub with a rich culture and history, Hongkou holds a special place in the hearts of the French people," said Joan Valadou, consul general of France in Shanghai, in his speech at the Explore Hongkou event, part of the "Invest in Shanghai, Share the Future" global promotion initiative.

Over the years, France and Hongkou have maintained close ties in economic cooperation, cultural training, and university research collaboration, he noted, expressing hope that both sides will further strengthen exchanges and cooperation across various fields.

Stella Fu from PwC China commended Shanghai for its transparent government policies and efficient business services, emphasizing their crucial role in supporting foreign-funded enterprises. "We have great confidence in Shanghai's future development," she said.

Inty Mendoza, head of Invest Sao Paulo's Shanghai office, said that he discovered numerous business opportunities during a post-event tour of the institute. He also expressed his strong support for efforts to encourage more Brazilian companies to establish a presence in Shanghai.

The Explore Hongkou event marked the first stop in the district-focused series of "Invest in Shanghai, Share the Future", a global investment promotion initiative.

It welcomed over 160 distinguished guests, including consular officials in Shanghai, representatives from the International Business Leaders' Advisory Council for the Mayor of Shanghai, and recipients of the Magnolia Silver Award.

The event spotlighted the North Bund in Hongkou as a prime destination for global investment, showcasing its strategic advantages and development potential.

Renowned for its rich history and culture, the North Bund stands out as a key hub for commerce, shipping, wealth management, green initiatives, and technology industries.

With a strong GDP growth rate of 8.2 percent last year — the highest among all districts in Shanghai — and the establishment of 7,726 new enterprises, the district has emerged as an attractive destination for foreign investment.

Actively optimizing its business environment, the North Bund is now home to nearly 2,000 foreign-invested enterprises from 75 countries and regions.

The area is undergoing rapid development, with plans for the construction of 18 super high-rise buildings exceeding 180 meters in height in its core business area.

The North Bund is embracing digitalization to establish itself as an international innovation center for financial technology and a hub for the digital publishing industry.

Efforts are also underway to promote low-carbon development practices in the area.

Source: Hongkou district government