By Jasmine Sun
As Wuhan continues to develop, the Central China Chapter brings together the well-established and the just-landed business people of Wuhan.
Chris Butland, Consul Trade & Investment at the UK Consulate Wuhan, falls into the just-landed category.
“Wuhan is one of those fast developing cities in China with (a lot) going on,” Butland said during his presentation at the inter-chamber mixer on Aug. 5. “There is huge push to make this international city more attractive for foreign businesses.”
Butland went on to say that his department will further explore opportunities in the arts, culture and education.
Li Jie, Managing Director at JLL, Hubei, also spoke to the 80 attendees gathered at the Jinjiang International hotel. He shared findings from the firm's China60: From Fast Growth to Smart Growth, which reports on the commercial real estate landscape across 60 secondary and tertiary cities in mainland China. Li mentioned that China's move from fast, investment-fueled growth to a more sustainable model of higher-value, consumption-based growth will change the real estate market. Quality of life, cultural assets and environmental considerations are coming to the fore as cities compete for talent and business. Real estate will play an important enabling role in improving the livability and sustainability of China's cities as urbanization continues. Eventually, rapid growth will turn into smart growth (read more about how AmCham China members are supporting Smart City development).
For more information about the Central China Chapter, please email Jasmine Sun at jsun@amchamchina.org.