Post Event | The First Edition of Changzhou Business Forum, June 25th, 2021

Dear Members and Friends,

The China-Italy Chamber of Commerce (CICC) is glad to inform you that we organized our 1st Edition of Changzhou Business Forum at Marco Polo Changzhou on June 25th, 2021.

The Forum, which aimed at gathering all the Italian, Chinese and other foreign companies in and around Changzhou to enhance cooperation and networking, attracted over 20 companies from Italy, China, Germany, and Switzerland based in and around Changzhou.

The Forum began with the welcoming remarks made by Ms. Alessandra Palumbo, Commercial Consul of the Consulate General of Italy in Shanghai. In her speech, she focused on the ongoing in-depth bilateral cooperation and recalled that 2020 marked the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Italy and China, underlining the great results achieved in bilateral cooperation in many fields. Ms. Palumbo also expressed that she is looking forward to fruitful cooperation with Changzhou and more cooperation in the long run especially because Changzhou is home to many Italian manufacturing companies.

Mr. Giacomo Bove, CICC Suzhou Board Member, introduced to the audience what is CICC, CICC’s mission and objectives, partners with whom CICC collaborates, CICC’s members and friends, working groups, and CICC's presence in China.

Mr. Shen Lian, Vice Director of Foreign Affairs Office (FAO) of Changzhou Municipal People’s Government, welcomed all the participants who attended the Forum and expressed his thanks to CICC’s first business forum in Changzhou to provide an opportunity to establish business connections between the Italian community and Chinese and international counterparts in Changzhou. He also emphasized that Changzhou’s cooperation with Italy dated back to 1986 when Changzhou established its first friendship city relationship with Prato, Italy, on June 6th, 1986. The first of its kind in the history of Changzhou’s diplomatic relations.

Ms. Luo Xiaoxia, Director of Changzhou National High-Tech District (CND) Investment Promotion Bureau, shared with the audience that CND’s cooperation with Italy can date back to 2005 when Raco Group opened its first branch in Changzhou. CND is where many Italian companies, especially manufacturing ones, have established their China operations, such as Immergas, Vortice, Polidoro, Groppalli, Amer, BCS, Biesse and Targetti. She especially updated us that Pelliconi (Suzhou) Cap Manufacturing Co., Ltd., a global manufacturer of the patented MAXIP cap and the first company to manufacture the cap in China, will open its second China plant in CND.

The B2B meeting session witnessed in-depth discussions among participating companies to forge cooperation, followed by a dinner to enable further exchange.

The CICC would like to express our special thanks to the support and sponsorship of Changzhou National High-Tech District (CND) Investment Promotion Bureau for providing the venue for the Forum and the networking dinner.

The CICC also would like to take this opportunity to show our appreciation to the support from the Changzhou Italian Community, and all the following partners for making the Forum happen, which include but not limited to the Consulate General of Italy in Shanghai, the Foreign Affairs Office of Changzhou Municipal People’s Government, the AmCham Shanghai Suzhou Center, the Changzhou International Managers Forum, and the German Chamber of Commerce - Shanghai.

The Forum was moderated by Sarah Tian, CICC Suzhou Office Coordinator.

For more photos of this Forum, please click here (password: 2021).

Kind Regards,
The CICC Team