Shanghai released an action plan on Jan 4 to build a world-class, market-oriented and law-based business environment in 2026.
A key focus of the plan is to create an efficient and convenient government service environment, with special priority placed on strengthening services designed to help enterprises expand abroad and strengthen their overseas operations.
To this end, the city will support the Hongqiao International Central Business District in spearheading the development of relevant mechanisms and service systems.
The plan outlines several key initiatives, including the enhancement of the Shanghai Enterprises Going Global integrated service platform and the development of an overseas cooperation alliance for Shanghai enterprises. These initiatives are designed to streamline processes and foster international collaboration.
Additionally, the plan emphasizes the importance of training programs to improve consultation services for overseas investment projects. This includes enhancing foreign-related legal services and cross-border tax services, as well as strengthening risk warnings for enterprises venturing abroad.
To further ensure enterprises comply with relevant regulations and help them more easily adhere to international standards, Shanghai intends to expand the scope of the negative list for cross-border data transfers to cover the entire municipality.
Moreover, the plan seeks to make it easier to handle foreign-related documents by offering one-stop services for enterprises looking to expand globally. These improvements are intended to better prepare companies for international challenges and ensure the success of their global operations.
