More foreign companies resume business in Shanghai

Nearly two-thirds of the key foreign trade enterprises in the city's first business resumption whitelist have restarted operation, an official with the Shanghai Commission of Commerce said at a press briefing on Sunday.

There are altogether 142 companies in the categories of goods trade, service trade, foreign capital headquarters, and port service in the first whitelist, and the 562 enterprises on the second are also making preparation for business and production resumption, said Gu Jun, director of the commission.

The third whitelist of more than 820 foreign trade enterprises is scheduled to be released soon, he said.

Gu said the authority has designed a series of policies to ensure that employees of these enterprises can return to work, their vehicles can get on road, and their goods are able to circulate.

Special permits will be provided to such vehicles to transport cargoes either within the city or across provinces, he said.

He said the authority will also ensure smooth communication channels to respond actively to the concerns of foreign-funded enterprises.

"We're establishing a regular dialogue mechanism with consulates and foreign business associations in Shanghai to strengthen policy interpretation so as to seek understanding and support proactively and stabilize the development expectations of foreign-funded enterprises in the city," said Gu.