Riccardo Benussi and Giovanni Lovisetti Attend the Shenzhen Global Investment Promotion Conference in Milan, Italy

MILAN – The Shenzhen Global Investment Promotion Conference, hosted in Milan on November 28, saw participation of our Dezan Shira & Associates Italian Desk representatives —Riccardo Benussi (Europe, Director) and Giovanni Lovisetti (Senior Associate, International Business Advisory).

Taking place at Milan’s Dealflower Event Space, the Conference aimed to advance trade, bilateral investments, and economic partnerships.

The event’s notable attendees included Chinese and local representatives, the Chief Representative of the Shenzhen European Office, the Italian representative of Invest Hong Kong, and the Secretary General of the Italian Association of Foreign Trade (AICE), among many others.

As China’s first Special Economic Zone (SEZ), Shenzhen benefits from several administrative, fiscal, economic, logistical, and customs advantages, which have cumulatively propelled its exceptional growth at an unprecedented rate.

The southern Chinese city emerged as the model location for spearheading pilot economic reforms that were subsequently adopted across the rest of the country.

During the conference, the Shenzhen delegation pursued substantial commercial and technological collaboration with Italy. Their goal was to synergize the immense potential of Made in Italy with the strategic strengths of the Chinese city, to navigate and expand their presence in both domestic and Asian markets.

On the cooperation between both cities, Giovanni remarked that Shenzhen is at the epicenter of the Greater Bay Area (GBA), a macro region whose business environment is particularly interesting for Italian companies. On the one hand, companies based in Milan are traditionally focused on fashion, design, finance, and healthcare; on the other hand, Shenzhen and the GBA are among the most advanced business hubs in the world for companies working in such industries. Therefore, Italian SMEs and multinationals should consider Shenzhen as an advantageous location to establish their presence in Asia.

Dezan Shira & Associates’ Presence in Europe

Europe has significant trade and investment dealings with Asia—ASEAN and India are both among the bloc’s top trade partners outside the EU. With parts of Asia rapidly developing and the EU pursuing trade agreements with Asian counterparts, there is a wealth of opportunities for European investors in the region.

Incorporated in Munich in January of 2021, Dezan Shira & Associates’ European office serves as a first point of contact for European companies wishing to do business in Asia. In both the Munich and Milan offices, our European-based team works with a variety of partners to educate businesses on the economic performance and regulatory environment of developing Asian economies.

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