Futian’s overseas investment promotion sets sail again. From February 13th to 15th, the Economic and Trade Exchange Delegation of Shenzhen Futian District, led by Comrade Zhou Jiangtao, Deputy Secretary of the District Committee and District Chief, went to Switzerland to carry out exchange and cooperation activities for the “double invitation and double introduction.”
In line with the spirit of the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, advancing high-quality economic development, and building an open and innovative ecosystem with global competitiveness, Futian District aims to strengthen international cooperation and exchanges in strategic emerging industries such as new energy and new materials. The district is implementing the municipal committee and government’s deployment to “actively attract a continuous influx of enterprises, capital, and talents to Shenzhen through globally oriented double invitations and double introductions.” Following the visit to Italy, Spain, and France in January, Futian embarked on another journey to Europe, achieving a series of investment cooperation intentions at the first stop in Switzerland, making significant breakthroughs in cutting-edge technological innovation cooperation, investment in new energy vehicle research and development, and establishing a normalized platform for investment promotion and talent introduction in Europe.
The delegation included Wu Huan, member of the Standing Committee of the District Committee, Minister of the United Front Work Department, and President of the Futian Overseas Friendship Association, as well as officials from the District Development and Reform Bureau, Science and Technology Innovation Bureau, and Industry and Information Bureau, along with representatives from enterprises in the science and technology, investment, and trade sectors.
After arriving, the delegation conducted intensive research visits to the Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI), ETH Zurich, the Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China in Zurich, and the Swiss new energy vehicle company BRUSA Elektronik AG. They engaged in in-depth discussions on technological innovation cooperation, talent exchange interaction, and the transformation of scientific research achievements. The delegation successfully held the “Enter Futian, Win Together” – 2023 Futian (Europe) Investment Environment Promotion Conference in Brugg, where two strategic cooperation agreements were signed on-site, and a series of cooperation intentions were reached.
First Stop: Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI), Switzerland
PSI is Switzerland’s largest research institution in natural and engineering sciences, conducting cutting-edge research in fields such as new materials, energy and the environment, life and health, and future technology. With 2,200 researchers and numerous intellectual property rights, PSI collaborates annually with over 2,500 scientists from Switzerland and around the world, driving technology transfer.
John Millard, Director of Technology Transfer at PSI, provided detailed information on the institute’s construction and the development of four key areas. Discussions focused on the establishment of a technology transfer center by PSI in Futian, laying a solid foundation for the settlement of subsequent research projects and the industrialization of technological achievements.
Second Stop: Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich (ETH Zurich)
At ETH Zurich, the delegation held face-to-face exchanges with 32 students. Zhou Jiangtao, on behalf of the Futian District Government, introduced the advantages of entrepreneurship, work, and life in Futian from the perspectives of location, environmental quality, core industries, and development prospects. Zhou welcomed outstanding international students to return to Futian after completing their studies, emphasizing that the district government will provide excellent services and make Futian more splendid because of talents, while talents will shine more brilliantly because of Futian.
During the discussion, the international students actively spoke, offering insightful opinions on Futian’s industries, cultural and creative endeavors, humanities, and scientific research. The atmosphere was lively and warm, sparking intellectual exchanges.
Third Stop: Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China in Zurich, and concurrently in the Principality of Liechtenstein
During their time in Switzerland, the delegation also visited the Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China in Zurich and had a cordial exchange with Zhao Qinghua, Consul General of China in Zurich and Liechtenstein. Zhou Jiangtao elaborated on Futian’s development and investment opportunities, reporting the specific arrangements and current achievements of this European economic and trade exchange activity.
Zhao Qinghua emotionally recalled his longstanding connections with Shenzhen and shared vivid experiences from his long-term work in Switzerland. He pointed out that under the new situation, China’s economic and trade cooperation with Europe will become more frequent and closer. Both opportunities and challenges exist. As the central urban area of Shenzhen, Futian should vigorously promote the spirit of “daring to explore, openness and inclusiveness, pragmatic and law-abiding, and pursuing excellence.” It should contribute to the unwavering comprehensive expansion of openness, promote the construction of an open world economy, and contribute Futian’s strength to the world. This will not only draw development impetus from the world but also enable China’s development to better benefit the world.
BRUSA Elektronik AG Headquarters, a Swiss new energy automotive company
After the consulate visit, Zhao Qinghua, along with the Futian delegation, conducted a research visit to the headquarters of BRUSA company. As a primary supplier for core components technology development and production in Europe’s major electric vehicle companies, specializing in electric vehicle wireless charging systems, BRUSA’s technology was integrated into the BMW 530e in 2018. It was showcased as BMW’s cutting-edge technology product and remains the world’s only commercialized product in wireless electric vehicle charging.
Josef Brusa, the founder of BRUSA, and Holger Fink, CEO of its subsidiary Hypower, introduced the company’s development history, latest products, and research achievements in the field of new energy vehicles. They expressed that, after establishing a research center in Futian, they felt the excellent business environment in Shenzhen and decided to increase their research and development investment in Chinese companies. The delegation discussed plans for expanding investment in China and explored policy measures for introducing similar European hidden champion enterprises.
Fruitful Outcomes: “Invest in Futian” – Futian (Europe) Investment Environment Promotion Event
On the afternoon of February 15th, the “highlight” of this economic and trade exchange in Switzerland, the “Invest in Futian, Invest in Your Future” Futian (Europe) Investment Environment Promotion Conference, was successfully held. The event attracted nearly 50 European industry guests, including hidden champion enterprises, unicorn companies, and representatives of investment institutions from Switzerland, Austria, and Germany. Dignitaries such as Felix Sutter, President of the Swiss-Chinese Economic Association; Adrian Vogel, Head of the Swiss Electronic Mechanical Joint Association, Wolfgang Penzias, Head of the European Technology Innovation and Incubation Center (ETIIC); and Monica Lenz-Za, Business Head of UBS Bank, Europe’s largest financial holding group, were present.
During the exchange meeting, Consul General Zhao Qinghua of the Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China in Zurich and Felix Sutter, Chairman of the Swiss-Chinese Economic Association, delivered speeches. Zhao Qinghua reviewed the new leap in cooperation since the establishment of the innovation strategic partnership between China and Switzerland, expressing hope that Futian will continue to write a new chapter of high-quality cooperation with Switzerland with “Shenzhen speed,” “Shenzhen quality,” and “Shenzhen benefits.” Felix Sutter expressed firm confidence in more opportunities for cooperation between China and Switzerland in the fields of technological innovation, economic and trade, and finance.
In his speech, Zhou Jiangtao mentioned that Shenzhen’s urban innovation capabilities rank first in China, and its economic and trade connections with Europe are increasingly close. As the central district of Shenzhen, Futian has tremendous cooperation potential with Europe. He introduced the advantages of Futian in terms of location, economic vitality, business environment, development opportunities, and ecological environment to the participating guests. He sincerely invited more European companies to visit Futian, discover Futian, and invest in Futian.
Xu Yang, Director of the Futian District Science and Technology Innovation Bureau, introduced the supporting policies for landing enterprises in Futian. Dr. Niu Xinyu, founder of KUNYUN Technology, representing entrepreneurial scientists who settled in Futian, shared his experience of innovation and entrepreneurship.
During the promotion conference, Chinese representatives engaged in interactive exchanges with European enterprises, investment banks, and university institutions on topics such as establishing awareness of the Chinese market strategy. The atmosphere was lively and warm, with participants praising the solid industrial foundation, favorable business policies, and superior talent and technical resources of Shenzhen and the Greater Bay Area. European participants expressed strong interest in Futian’s investment environment, eagerly stating their desire to visit Futian for investment landing soon.
The results of this promotion conference were fruitful. Futian District signed a memorandum of cooperation with BRUSA Elektronik AG regarding the “Intention of BRUSA to Expand Research and Development Investment in China.” Additionally, a tripartite cooperation framework agreement was signed with the European Technology Innovation and Incubation Center (ETIIC) and the Crystal Ray Innovation Center, one of the top ten overseas innovation centers in Shenzhen, aiming to jointly establish a normalized platform for investment attraction and talent recruitment cooperation. This marks the second successful stop for Futian’s “Double Invitation and Double Introduction” in Europe this year, providing impetus for in-depth exchanges and cooperation between China and Europe and promoting innovation in both regions to new heights.
The next stop for the delegation will be Austria, the United Kingdom, and other places, accelerating the transformation of European technological innovation achievements in Shenzhen. This effort aims to establish a typical demonstration of Sino-European cross-border technology, industry, and talent cooperation in Futian, continuously enhancing the global visibility and influence of Shenzhen Futian.
