Guangzhou selected top preferred reinvestment destination for four
consecutive years
GUANGZHOU, CHINA –May 24, 2021 – The American Chamber of Commerce in South China (“AmCham South China”) today released its 2021 Special Report on the State of Business in Guangzhou.
The American Chamber of Commerce in South China (AmCham South China) was accredited by
the US Chamber of Commerce in Washington, D.C., in 1995. AmCham South China is an
independent business association. AmCham South China is governed by a Board of Governors elected from among
its members. It does not report to any other chamber in China and has no parent organization in
China. The American Chamber of Commerce in South China represents over 2,300 members with
investments in China which account for nearly 40% of all US-China business, trade and
investments. It focuses on provinces of Guangdong, Hainan and Fujian and the Guangxi
Autonomous Region. The national headquarters and conference center of AmCham South China are
based in Guangzhou City, Guangdong Province. AmCham South China operates offices in
Shenzhen, Xiamen, Fuzhou and Shunde.
The bilingual 2021 Special Report on the State of Business in Guangzhou aggregates and
quantitatively analyzes the experiences of the 115 companies who participated in the Chamber’s
State of Business study. It provides a meaningful context for this year’s responses on the business
environment and development trends in Guangzhou straight from the mouth of companies operating
in the heart of it.
The study shows Guangzhou has been stepping up efforts to optimize the business environment with the aim of creating the best investment destination for global enterprises. Examples are abound that Guangzhou has launched a series of policies and announced specific measures to stimulate market vitality as well as enhance trade facilitation.
Key takeaways of the 2021 Special Report on the State of Business in Guangzhou:
--90% of the studied companies have already achieved profitability in Guangzhou. A majority of
the rest expected to become profitable with two years or less.
--78% of the surveyed companies report positive overall return on investment in China. Despite
the fact that global economy remains liable to setbacks owing to COVID-19, most of the
companies still take a sanguine view of the business outlook in Guangzhou.
--Guangzhou is doubtlessly one of the most popular investment cities with over 95% of
companies selecting it as one of their investment destinations.
--Compared with 2019, 43% of companies report an increase in reinvestment in Guangzhou in
2020 while merely 20% report a decrease in reinvestment under the impact of COVID-19 and
other factors.
--The primary factor that incentivizes companies to increase investment or shift investment to
Guangzhou is the growth potential of local market, followed by preferential policies and
uncertainty of COVID-19 pandemic in other countries and regions.
--Approximately 70% of the companies plan to expand in Guangzhou in the next three years.
--99% of the studied companies consider the business environment in Guangzhou excellent or good or neutral.
--Most of the companies ascribe their determination to establish a company in Guangzhou to
growth potential of Guangzhou market, followed by advantage of proximity to Hong Kong,
Macao and Taiwan, as well as better infrastructure than other places in China. “In many ways, 2020 was a disappointing year that will long be remembered. However, we made it
through together by helping each other. We worked feverishly with the Guangzhou government for
a speedy return back to China of our member company executives, as well as teachers and
administrators of international schools.” said Dr. Harley Seyedin, President of AmCham South
China. He added, “It’s without a doubt that vaccines will accelerate the rebound in 2021. Faced
with the difficulties brought on by COVID-19 in 2020, our member companies succeeded in
growing and making profits with supportive policies and practical assistance from Guangzhou
government. Like a phoenix, we have risen again from what may have been certain catastrophic
circumstances.”
The report can be downloaded free of charge from the chamber’s website at
www.amcham-southchina.org/amcham/static/publications/publications.jsp.
About the American Chamber of Commerce in South China
The American Chamber of Commerce in South China (AmCham South China) is a non-partisan, non-profit organization
dedicated to facilitating bilateral trade between the United States and the People’s Republic of China. Accredited in 1995
by the US Chamber of Commerce in Washington DC, AmCham South China represents more than 2,300 corporate and
individual members, is governed by a fully-independent Board of Governors elected from its membership, and provides
dynamic, on-the-ground support for American and International companies doing business in South China. Over the past
ten years, AmCham South China has hosted on average each year more than 10,000 business executives and
government leaders from around the world at its briefings, seminars, committee meetings and social gatherings.
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