The administration bureau of Lujiazui, which is part of the Administrative Committee of the China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone, recently held a meeting with five German companies to interpret the latest policies and help them expand businesses in Pudong New Area.

German law firm Luther is one of the participants, and its partner Oliver Maaz is the middleman who brought the two sides together. He was commissioned to establish an office in Shanghai this March.

"Many German multinationals have invested in China over the past few decades, and the two countries have a long partnership in terms of economic and business exchanges. We want to help our clients achieve further development in China," said Mazz.

He said that the guideline to build Pudong into a leading area for socialist modernization, which was released in July, has generated many opportunities for companies.

Several German companies from Luther's network, such as logistics company Hoyer Group and materials testing machines manufacturer Zwick Roell Group, were then invited to attend the meeting.

During the meeting, government officials from Pudong and Lujiazui explained policies concerning visa, offshore trade, intellectual property rights protection, as well as the benefits of establishing a headquarters in Pudong. "The meeting will allow more companies to better understand new policies and help government learn about their concerns," said Yuan Yefeng, deputy director of Lujiazui administration.

"Many German companies, just like us, are hoping to find direction for future development from new policies," said Stefan Bachmeier, president of Kaeser, a world's leading manufacturer of compressed air products.

Lujiazui plans to house more than 3,500 professional services companies by the end of 2025, according to the area's 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-25).