Companies eager to explore sustainable development opportunities in China

A strategic partnership was inked between French companies Archetype Group and Arte Charpentier on June 19, with the two sides agreeing to explore sustainable development opportunities in the world's second-largest economy.

The alliance reflects their shared ambition of strengthening their collaboration through a closer capital and operational relationship, as well as through their expertise and resources to elevate their services.

The agreement, which includes an equity investment by Archetype China in Arte Charpentier's Chinese subsidiary Charpentier Architecture Design Consulting, or CADC, is expected to be finalized by mid-2025.

The two companies aim to pioneer innovative projects to address the key challenges of rapid urbanization and ecological transitions in China, paving the way for a more sustainable future, said Pan Mingding, partner and group regional director of Arte Charpentier.

Samuel Derville, managing director of Archetype China and East Asia, said: "This partnership opens a new era of collaboration and impact. It strengthens our joint ability to support urban transformation with rigor, purpose, and responsibility."

Archetype Group celebrated its 20th anniversary in China on Thursday.

Since entering the Chinese market in 2005, the engineering and construction consultancy company has successfully delivered more than 680 projects in the country, across sectors including commercial and hospitality buildings, tourism developments, real estate, and advanced industrial facilities.

Joan Valadou, France's consul general in Shanghai, said: "Twenty years ago, just three years after its founding, Archetype Group made the bold decision to establish presence in China, choosing Shanghai's Changning district as its base to deepen its expertise in the field. What seemed like a daring move at the time ultimately proved to be a pivotal strategy in the group's international expansion. Today, through numerous regional projects, Archetype Group has made significant contributions to local economic development."

wang_ying@chinadaily.com.cn