Business in Shanghai - That's Shanghai

<%@LANGUAGE="VBSCRIPT" CODEPAGE="936"%> Business in Shanghai - That's Shanghai

Chinese

Home | Check-In | Q&A | Online Reservation | About Us


	<< Back to That's Shanghai
	Doing Business in Shanghai

	China is relatively restrictive when it comes to setting up businesses although this is changing. The government is keen to attract foreign investment but most are in the form of joint ventures (JV) between foreign and Chinese companies. This is particularly true in such industries such as the media. Other sectors, such as that of telecommunications service providers, cannot even be minority-owned by foreigners, while telecommunications equipment makers are usually all joint ventures. This is not to say there are no exceptions. Many smaller foreign companies have succeeded in setting up wholly owned foreign enterprises. It is increasingly common for a foreign investor to begin with a JV partner to facilitate setting up a business and dealing with government officials. Eventually, these foreign investors simply buy out the JV partner. The practice may seem ridiculous, but many believe it is better to make a one-off payment than continue having to pay salaries etc. for years to come. The best rule of thumb is to investigate thoroughly any business opportunity before talking to any prospective partner. In many ways, China resembles the Wild West where anything goes. Chinese partners are often invaluable to navigate the murky depths of business in China and facilitate the setting up of a business. But be warned: Many foreign companies have found that the elaborate, unwritten code of rules which applies to everything-whether it is negotiating a contract or selling your product-often results in business disputes. Keep your eyes wide open and visualize any eventuality, particularly bad ones. Best for business Generally the best way to find out how to set up a business in Shanghai is to contact your local consular office and inquire about the opportunities and restrictions which affect people of your nationality. Usually there is a government agency that has at least basic information on the steps a foreigner needs to take, numbers he needs to call and documentation required. You can try the Shanghai Ya Xin Business Consulting Co. for assistance in market entry. They are a US-registered joint venture company. Shanghai and the surrounding environs all have special economic zones (SEZs) which offer different tax incentives etc. The best way to get this information is to contact your consulate in Shanghai or the Chinese consulate in your home country. The new financial and industrial/manufacturing center of Pudong is also one of the best bets for tax writeoffs and other incentives. You can try contacting the: Economic and Trade Bureau of the Shanghai Pudong New Area Room 7Q, First Trade Tower 985 Dongfang Rd. Pudong New Area, Shanghai Tel: +86-21 6876-7019; 6876-1766 Fax: +86-21 6876-1766 Business visas Before you come to China you must get a travel visa. For business people, the best is a multiple entry visa that is good for six months. You CANNOT get one at the Shanghai Airport and they will promptly ship you back from whence you came without one. A work permit must similarly be arranged before you arrive. Both can be extended once you are here provided your passport is in good order and you have the appropriate letters from the company you are working with or for here in Shanghai. Business Associations American Chamber of Commerce - AmCham Unit 568, 5/F, Portman Ritz-Carlton, 1376 Nanjing Xi Lu 6279 7119 www.amcham-shanghai.org amcham@amcham-shanghai.org Asia Pacific CEO Association - APCA www.cmagroup.org.hk info@cmagroup.org.hk AustCham Shanghai Suite 605, Sixth Floor, Apollo Building, 1440 Yan'an Zhong Lu 6248 8301 www.austchamshanghai.com admin@austchamshanghai.com Austrian Consulate General - Commercial Section Suite 514, Shanghai Centre, 1376 Nanjing Xi Lu 6279 7197 shanghai@wko.at British Chamber of Commerce - Britcham 6218 5022 admin@sha.britcham.org Canada China Business Council Shanghai 6359 8908 www.ccbc.com ccbcsh@ccbc.com China Britain Business Council 6218 5183 www.cbbc.org cbbcsh@online.sh.cn China Link, Liverpool Chamber of Commerce & Industry (Shanghai) www.chinalink.org.uk shanghaioffice@chinalink.org.uk China-Italy Chamber of Commerce, Shanghai Suite 3605, The Center, 989 Changle Lu 5407 5181 www.cameraitacina.com infoshanghai@cameraitacina.com Club China Access Building 1, Lane 294, Xinhua Lu 5258 7899 http://www.chinaaccess.cn jbenn@chinaaccess.cn Colombia Chamber of Commerce 18/F, The Bund Centre, 222 Yan'an Dong Lu, by Henan Lu 6335 1609 Confederation of Indian Industry Shanghai Representative 11A47, Shanghai Mart, 2299 Yan'an Xi Lu 6236 0969 Consulate General of Ireland Suite 700A, Shanghai Centre, 1376 Nanjing Xi Lu 6279 8729 shanghai@dfa.ie Danish Chamber of Commerce in China - Shanghai Branch www.dccc-shanghai.com mail@dccc-shanghai.com Delegation of German Industry & Commerce 5081 2266 www.ahksha.com.cn Direct Marketing Association 2402 8022 www.theChinaDMA.com kitty@chinaDMA.com DPRK Business Association 550 Wanping Lu, by Lingling Lu 6438 1015 DPRK Business Association www.fbda.net roger@fbda.net DPRK Business Association 7/F, Westgate Mall, 1038 Nanjing Xi Lu, by Jiangning Lu 6272 6972 European Union Chamber of Commerce in China Room 1709-1710, One Corporate Avenue, 222 Hu Bin Lu, by Xin Tian Di 6385 2023 www.euccc.com.cn shanghai@euccc.com.cn Expatriate Professional Women's Society The Expatriate Professional Women's Society (EPWS) is an informal, non-profit, membership-based group established to provide a professional, social and cultural network for expatriate working women. EPWS's monthly events address issues professional women face in the workplace. www.epws_shanghai.org info@epws-shanghai.org French Chamber of Commerce 6281 3618 www.ccifc.org ccifc-shanghai@ccifc.org Hong Kong Chamber of Commerce in Chinese Mainland 5306 9533 Internet and Information Forum www.iandiasia.com headoffice@iandiasia.com Nigeria Trade Office Suite 16A, Jiushi Fuxin Mansion, 918 Huaihai Zhong Lu 6415 7289 Shanghai Stock Exchange Club 528 Pudong Nan Lu, by Pudong Da Dao 6881 8088 ssc7777@vip.163.com Shanghai Stock Exchange Club 529 Pudong Nan Lu, by Pudong Da Dao 6881 8088 ssc7777@vip.163.com South African China Business Association - SACBA www.sacba.com.cn kobus@thebeijingaxis.com Swiss Chinese Chamber of Commerce, Shanghai Rm 26A, 1078 Jiangning Lu 6276 1171 www.sha.swisscham.org info@sha.swisscham.org WKCL Centre 550 Wanping Lu, by Lingling Lu 6438 1015 all cards WKCL Centre Unit N102B, Hong Kong Plaza North Tower, 282 Huaihai Zhong Lu 6390 8668 www.wkclclub.com service@wkcl.com.cn Exhibition Center Shanghai Everbright International Convention & Exhibition Center 88 Caobao Lu 6475 3288 www.secec.com Shanghai Exhibition Center 1000 Yan'an Zhong Lu 6247 5328 Shanghai International Convention Center 2727 Riverside Avenue, Pudong 5037 0000 ext 6818 www.shicc.net Shanghai International Exhibition Center 88 Loushanguan Lu 6275 5800 www.intex-sh.com Shanghai Mart 2299 Yan'an Xi Lu 6236 6888 www.shangahimart.com Shanghai New International Expo Center 2345 Longyang Lu, Pudong 2890 6666 www.sniec.net