Chairman Soopakij Chearavanont Attends 36th International Business Leader’s Advisory Council for the mayor of Shanghai, Presents Vision for Economic Advancement
Chairman Soopakij Chearavanont (second row, 6th from left), along with Mr. Chen Jining, Secretary of the Communist Party of Shanghai (front row, center), Mr. Gong Zheng, Mayor of Shanghai (front row, 7th from left), and global business leaders, participated in the 36th Shanghai Mayor's International Business Leaders’ Advisory Council, held on September 22, 2024.
On September 22, 2024, Chairman Soopakij Chearavanont, Chairman of the Charoen Pokphand Group (CP Group), participated in the 36th Annual Meeting of the International Business Leaders’ Advisory Council for the Mayor of Shanghai (IBLAC). This year, the meeting focused on the theme 'Paradigm Shifts, Expanding Trade Cooperation, and Developing Shanghai as a Center for Technological Innovation in the New Era.' The event brought together 34 leading business figures from 13 countries to share insights and perspectives with leaders of the Shanghai Municipal Government and business executives from around the world.
Mr. Chen Jining, Secretary of the Communist Party of Shanghai, expressed his gratitude during the meeting to business leaders for their continuous support of Shanghai’s development, particularly in technological innovation. He also emphasized the importance of listening to the voices of international business leaders to foster development and expand global cooperation.
Mr. Chen Jining, Secretary of the Communist Party of Shanghai, expressed his gratitude during the meeting to business leaders for their continuous support of Shanghai’s development, particularly in technological innovation, which is a key factor in enhancing the city's competitiveness. He further emphasized that developing Shanghai into a global innovation hub requires ongoing collaboration from international business leaders. Additionally, he highlighted that the insights and perspectives from global entrepreneurs are crucial as they help Shanghai refine its development strategies across various dimensions. This includes expanding international cooperation to strengthen the city’s global competitiveness in a sustainable manner.
Shanghai Mayor Gong Zheng delivered a keynote speech.
Shanghai Mayor Gong Zheng stated that over the past decade, Shanghai has made significant strides in technological innovation and will continue to develop systems that support further innovation. He invited global entrepreneurs to participate in shaping the future together. He also mentioned that prior to this meeting, he had met with Chairman Soopakij Chearavanont and the senior executives of CP Group. Mayor Gong further emphasized the strong relationship between international businesses and the city of Shanghai and expressed hope that these businesses would continue to invest in Shanghai by optimizing their operations and contributing to its development into the 'Five Centers.' These 'Five Centers' refer to the city’s strategic plan to become a global hub in five key areas: 1) International Economic Center, 2) International Financial Center, 3) International Trade Center, 4) International Shipping Center, and 5) International Innovation Center for Science and Technology.
Shanghai Mayor Gong Zheng (right) met with Chairman Soopakij Chearavanont (left).
Mayor Gong also emphasized Shanghai's commitment to creating a world-class business environment by prioritizing market accessibility, legal frameworks, and internationalization. He highlighted the city’s efforts to enhance policy and human resource support to build a better business ecosystem and provide high-quality services to international entrepreneurs, ensuring confidence in investing and conducting business in Shanghai.
During the meeting, Chairman Soopakij Chearavanont of Charoen Pokphand Group proposed that Shanghai, as a leading global city, should further expand its international investments and encourage businesses with strong potential to 'step onto the global stage' by implementing global strategies. This, he noted, would drive the city's economy and strengthen Shanghai’s role on the international stage. He also expressed confidence in Shanghai’s investment environment and announced plans to develop Super Brand Mall into a 'global landmark,' further enhancing the development of the Pudong district and the city of Shanghai.
(Additional Information: Super Brand Mall is a large shopping center located in the Pudong district of Shanghai, China. It has been in operation since 2002 and is a comprehensive shopping complex featuring leading domestic and international retail brands, restaurants, entertainment venues, and cinemas. The project was invested in and developed by Charoen Pokphand Group from Thailand and is considered one of the key projects that demonstrate CP Group's significant role in investing in Shanghai.)
Chairman Soopakij Chearavanont and senior executives of CP Group held discussions with Shanghai Mayor Gong Zheng.
In this regard, Shanghai Mayor Gong Zheng praised the role and contributions of Charoen Pokphand Group (CP Group) to Shanghai's development over the years. He commended the success of the 'ICONSIAM' business model in Bangkok and expressed his support for the plan to develop Super Brand Mall into a global landmark, as proposed by Chairman Soopakij during the meeting.
Senior executives of CP Group also attended the meeting, including Mr. Luo Jiasun, Senior Vice Chairman, and other executives from the group’s various business units.