Business / Economy

Inland city becomes a showpiece to the world

By Li Yu and Peng Chao (China Daily) Updated: 2014-02-24 07:34

Entrepreneurs take part into the 2013 Fortune Global Forum held in Chengdu.

"It's not an accident that we picked this city in West China," says Andy Serwer, managing editor of Fortune. "Chengdu has been the perfect city for us because it represents so many trends.

"Chengdu is the ideal location and a perfect city for the event thanks to a number of attributes: its ability to attract multinationals, its 15 percent gross domestic product growth as well as its advantages in transportation, education and resources," says Serwer.

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According to the Chengdu government, At least 74 business deals were signed with Fortune 500 companies or large multinationals during that event, worth a combined value of more than 112 billion yuan.

The 12th World Chinese Entrepreneurs Convention took place between Sept 26 and 27, the second time it had been held on the Chinese mainland. It attracted more than 3,000 Chinese entrepreneurs and industry leaders from 105 countries and regions. During the convention, 241 business deals worth 132 billion yuan were signed.

"Compared with previous such conventions I have been to, this one was well organized in terms of transportation, accommodation and meetings," says Zhang Yongqing, managing deputy auditor of the Chinese General Chamber in Thailand.

Zhang says Chengdu has huge development potential. Flying to the city from Thailand is now as quick as flying to Shanghai or Guangzhou.

"The relevant government departments in Chengdu, as well as the exhibition halls, hotels and other service providers, all tried their best to hold these conventions and exhibitions. They made it all a pleasant experience fur us," says Cao Xiuhua, chairman and CEO of the Across China Communication Group, a Beijing-based company that was part of the organization of the 2013 Fortune Global Forum and the 12th World Chinese Entrepreneurs Convention.

The policy support, advanced infrastructure and international airlines have made Chengdu one of the leading cities in the convention and exhibition industry, she said.

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