Foshan's efficient government a major draw for multinationals

Despite his tight work schedule, Pan Zhanguang, general manager of Capgemini Business Services (China), is used to taking a walk around the company's compound in his spare time. He enjoys looking at the tree which was planted when his business moved to the Guangdong Financial High-tech Zone several years ago.

"I like the tree, because it grows along with our company," Pan said. "We made a wise choice to settle down in the Guangdong Financial High-tech Zone."

In 2010, Capgemini Business Services (China) moved from the Tianhe district of Guangzhou, the capital of Guangdong, to the zone in Foshan. At that time, the Guangzhou-Foshan Urban Integration Development Plan was in the pipeline and an inter-city subway line linking the two cities was under construction.

Neighboring Guangzhou, Foshan boasts much lower costs - the rents for office buildings in the zone in Nanhai district are much lower than those districts in Guangzhou - which is conducive to Capgemini's further expansion. Thus, the zone became the preferred destination for the company's relocation, Pan said.

The district's efficient, service-oriented government was another big draw to the company, he said.

Capgemini provides multinationals with financial and accounting services and thus its data processing and storage need a stable power supply.

"Our operation has been smooth in recent years, because of the efficient government services and the business-friendly environment the government has fostered," he said.

In Foshan, which has long been known as a manufacturing hub, founding the zone has helped to develop the local service industry, Pan said.

As one of the earliest businesses attracted to the financial zone, Capgemini has witnessed the influx of other service providers into the zone.

The competition with its peers has promoted Capgemini's improvements in services via technological innovation and streamlined procedures, he said.

"The zone is sure to boom, due to its geographic advantage, appealing environment and forward-thinking plans," he said.

Pan is not the only one to enjoy the convenient business environment in Foshan. Huang Wenchao, executive director of Inno Space, a startup incubator in the zone, also said it was a wise decision to set up in the Guangdong Financial High-tech Zone.

The incubator, established in 2015, is one of the busiest incubators in the zone. It is now incubating more than 20 startups. About 80 startups have completed their incubation programs, Huang said.

"The local government works very efficiently and our communication with the government is smooth," Huang said. "I feel very relaxed in dealing with government officials."

Apart from expanding the incubator, Huang plans to partner with some leading companies to launch some professional training programs in the zone.

"The program will help people to start a new chapter in their careers," Huang said. "I also hope the program can help the zone to upgrade its talent pool so it can achieve better development in the future."

Huang said the relationship between local governments and Inno Space is more like a partnership which both parties will use to achieve a win-win situation.

(China Daily 12/06/2017 page24)