European Chamber calls for green collaboration

During a recent interview with Shenzhen Daily, Francine Hadjisotiriou, general manager of the European Union Chamber of Commerce South China Chapter, said Shenzhen should further encourage innovation and support green sector collaboration between local entities and the chamber’s member companies.

Francine Hadjisotiriou, general manager of the European Union Chamber of Commerce South China Chapter. Courtesy of the interviewee

“Both the EU and China are committed to addressing climate change. European companies’ expertise in green energy and sustainable practices are advanced. This aligns with China’s focus on green development, particularly with the 14th Five-Year Plan, which emphasizes eco-friendly policies,” she said.

“Our suggestion to local government is to facilitate access to green energy,” the general manager told Shenzhen Daily.

While attending an event organized by the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT) Shenzhen to bolster international collaboration, Hadjisotiriou highlighted the significance of such events in fostering economic ties through exchanges with stakeholders, companies, and consulates.

Hadjisotiriou also anticipates the release of supporting measures for an action plan announced by the State Council on Feb. 19. This plan, which aims to stabilize foreign investment, continues the Chinese Government’s recent efforts to improve the business environment for foreign investors.

She particularly commended the plan’s provisions for defining domestic products in public procurement and ensuring equal access for foreign firms producing goods in China.

Hadjisotiriou thanked Shenzhen authorities for resolving an issue member companies faced with implementing the preferential individual income tax (IIT) policy for overseas high-end talent in Shenzhen.

“[The tax break] allows companies to leverage this policy to attract world-class professionals and recruit more talent for critical projects,” she said, noting that Shenzhen is the first city in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) to implement the IIT subsidy.

Looking ahead, Hadjisotiriou envisions continued synergy between foreign institutions and Chinese entities in Shenzhen, emphasizing the European Chamber’s role in facilitating partnerships through knowledge exchange, conferences, and policy updates.

As the European Union Chamber of Commerce in China marks its 25th anniversary, Hadjisotiriou reaffirmed its commitment to fostering dialogue that benefits both European companies and Shenzhen, especially in sustainability, green technology, and digital transformation.