In the new situation where the world is working together to actively fight the epidemic, and remote office and online international economic and trade exchanges have gradually become one of our daily work methods, here EAcham is very happy to review 2020 with you, our friends from all over the world and to expect a better 2021 together.
2020 was a very special year, and for many companies, it was a very difficult year. Our office in China also faced the same difficulties of travel and entry restrictions, which was not conducive to international economic and trade activities.
EAcham offline economic and trade activities had dropped sharply from an annual average number of 100 in the past years to less than 10 in 2020. But we did not surrender to the epidemic. Based on the strong demand for foreign economic and trade exchanges from various localities and related institutions in China, in 2020, EAcham had made new explorations in promoting trade and investment, strengthening Sino-foreign economic and trade exchanges and online matchmaking, and successfully launched a new online economic and trade exchanges project - “Trading Eyes”.
Firstly, we quickly adjusted our working methods from offline to online, and hold over 50 online themed business matching meetings throughout the year. We assisted many overseas companies which cannot return to China to effectively connect with China's high-quality and reliable supplier companies. More importantly, in order to support the global epidemic prevention, several matchmaking meetings with the theme of epidemic prevention products had been specially held to assist business associations and government agencies from different countries with cross-border procurement.
Secondly, we launched “Trading Eyes”, a one-to-one foreign trade service project, successfully helping at least 200 overseas members with accurate and effective supply and demand products and projects, allowing many overseas companies to overcome travel restrictions caused by the epidemic, to participate in business negotiations through video and to promote their business development.
Thirdly, entrusted and supported by the relevant departments of the Chinese government, EAcham has initiated and set up the United Office Platform of Global Chambers (GCP), which was officially launched on January 10, 2020.
Up to now, 8 foreign business associations have obtained the qualifications to settle in, among which the Australia-Asia Chamber of Commerce and the Mongolian Chamber of Commerce and Industry have obtained the approval letter from the Chinese competent authority to establish their representative office in China, and the rest have also passed the preliminary examination and are submitting relevant registration documents.
We plan to introduce 50 overseas trade organizations to the platform in the next two years, and make full use of the spillover effect of the China International Import Expo (CIIE) and the superior geographical location of Shanghai as an international metropolis and the advantages of an advanced and convenient international trading port.
We will assist the association and its member companies to do global trade, gather high-quality business resources from high-end international business circles, buy and sell globally, and share the dividends of Shanghai's economic development.
We believe that more and more overseas organizations and their member enterprises will join GCP and settle in Shanghai, one of the best cities in China for business operations. In GCP, the settled organizations will not only have a convenient and comfortable shared office environment, but also enjoy a series of high-quality business services provided by the platform and various tax incentives and preferential policies provided by the Qingpu District Government to support their economic and trade activities and to help them seize the opportunities of China's economic development and promote trade and bilateral investment.
We believe that 2021 will be an extraordinary year. Our Chamber is willing to go hand in hand with you to seize every possible business opportunity and grow together. As Chinese New Year is coming, EAcham wishes you and your family all the best in the new year!
