Over 50 prominent figures from foreign-funded enterprises convened at the North Bund in Hongkou district on the night of March 23, discussing potential cooperation avenues and exchanging insights with government representatives.

This marked the second edition of the North Bund Night event, designed to foster a more relaxed environment for enterprises and government officials to interact.

Conversations during the gathering underscored the significance of Shanghai's vibrancy, recognized as a pivotal factor in attracting investment.

Martin Hoffmann, co-chief executive officer of On, lauded Shanghai as a captivating city, expressing his fondness for waterfront strolls.

As a key leader of the Swiss footwear and apparel company, Hoffmann noted that this was his fifth time in Shanghai and he hoped to expand the company's operations here.

Highlighting the company's growth trajectory, the co-CEO disclosed a remarkable 124.6-percent increase in net sales for the Asia Pacific region during the fourth quarter of 2024, emphasizing the strategic importance of Shanghai in their business endeavors.

Roger Lynch, CEO of Conde Nast, emphasized the allure of Shanghai's fashion scene, which is highly valued by the global multimedia publisher renowned for iconic magazines like Vogue and GQ.

Lynch reminisced about his early visits to the city 25 years ago, noting the evolving landscape as the company's presence in Shanghai has expanded over the years.

Shanghai's economic prowess was underscored by its 5-percent year-on-year increase in gross domestic product last year, making it the first city in China to surpass 5 trillion yuan ($689 billion).

The city currently hosts 79,000 foreign-funded enterprises, alongside 1,016 regional headquarters of multinational corporations and 591 foreign-funded research and development centers as of the end of 2024, cementing its reputation as a global business hub.

Source: Wenhui Daily