Time of opportunities, challenges
Timeline
Shanghai FTZ
• 2005
Shanghai, Shenzhen and Tianjin all applied to the State Council to upgrade their respective tariff-free zones to the status of a free trade zone.
• In November 2011
Shanghai announced during the 11th World Free Zone Convention that it would embark on building an FTZ.
• In March 2013
During his visit to the Waigaoqiao bonded area, Premier Li Keqiang suggested that Shanghai should study building a FTZ on the basis of existing bonded areas.
• May 14
The Shanghai FTZ was launched as a national-level project.
• June
A modified version of the plan was submitted to the related ministries for approval.
• July 3
A draft plan of the Shanghai FTZ was passed at an executive meeting of the State Council.
• Aug 16
An executive meeting of the State Council decided that certain domestic commercial laws and regulations would be suspended in the area to remove barriers to foreign investments.
• Aug 22
The Ministry of Commerce said the State Council had officially approved the establishment of the Shanghai FTZ.
