Shenzhen 2016 Outlook: Trends & Predictions 

01/27/2016

Image: Britcham

During 2015, global economies continued to battle with slow growth and failed to gain momentum in tackling sustainable development. However despite the “new normal” in China, Shenzhen bucked the general changes of industrial slowdown and continued to expand aggressively. Barry Wilson was invited to act as MC for the Shenzhen 2016 Outlook: Trends & Predictions forum hosted by the British Chamber of Commerce Guangdong at the offices of Jones Lang Lasalle, Futian on January 21st.  
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The aim of this event was to review the local business environment and update Members on anticipated industry changes in the coming year in order to improve operations for those doing business in the Shenzhen and South China.
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Group talks allowing guests to have more in-depth interaction with our speakersImage: Britcham

Group talks allowing guests to have more in-depth interaction with speakers. Image: Britcham

Shenzhen’s rise to stardom continued during 2015:-

• Knocking Hong Kong off the top of China’s Most Competitive Cities list where it had reigned since inception of the list in 2005. The list tracks indexes in Business Environment; Municipal Harmony; Efficiency; Stability; Sustainability and Quality of Life;
• Maintaining a higher per-capita GDP than Japan, Germany and Hong Kong;
• Investing 4.05% of GDP in R&D spending (compared to Hong Kong at 0.73%);
• Generating the HIGHEST output per land area in China;
• Consuming the LOWEST Energy and Water per capita in China;
• Topping China’s EFFICIENCY LIST of Cities;
• Recent data indicates that Shenzhen has overtaken Guangzhou as the third-largest city in China and is expected to soon catch up with Shanghai.

HOWEVER

• Shenzhen surpassed Beijing as the Chinese city with the highest housing-price-to-income ratio; and
• Population growth is the highest among China’s four first-tier cities (Shenzhen’s population has the lowest average age out of all the cities in China).

Christian Bloomfield, Director of Michael Page. Image: Michael Page

Vlado Kysucky, Academic Researcher worked in Shenzhen University International Business School. Image: Shenzhen University

​Speakers sharing their thoughts on the latest industrial trends were as follows:

Introduction and Overview
Barry Wilson, Shenzhen Chairman, British Chamber of Commerce Guangdong

HR : Current Trends and Expectations for 2016
Christian Bloomfield, Director, Michael Page

Trends in Chinese Financial Sector: Risks and Opportunities in 2016
Academic Researcher, Shenzhen University International Business School

​Development Trend and Outlook of Shenzhen Grade A Office Market in 2016
Junique Zhang, Associate Director, Jones Lang Lasalle
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Roadmap of Industry Policies in PRD and Latest Developments in Tax Policies
Rebecca Wong, Tax Partner, PricewaterhouseCoopers 

​The panellists somewhat surprisingly predicted an optimistic outlook for South China in the coming year, with significant new opportunities to be found in what still remains a huge growth market. Well managed businesses and emerging industries will adapt to the “new-normal”, with services and green industries in particular identified as key areas of growth as well as culture, environmental protection, e-commerce and intelligent manufacturing.
　
Shenzhen, known for its innovation and creativity is geared to play a key role in the search for bolstering growth throughout 2016. 

Junique Zhang, Associate Director of Jones Lang Lasalle. Image: Jones Lang Lasalle ​

Rebecca Wong, Tax Partner of PricewaterhouseCoopers. Image: PricewaterhouseCoopers

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