The Shanghai Institute of International Studies (SIIS) and the Shanghai Free Trade Zone World Expo Administration jointly held a seminar on attracting international organizations to settle in Shanghai in Pudong New Area, Shanghai on Feb 28. The SIIS New Bund Research Center was unveiled during the event.

The seminar invited more than 10 representatives of international organizations and heads of institutions to discuss the challenges and give advice on the settlement and running of international organizations in Shanghai.

To date, 15 international economic organizations have settled in the Expo Area in Pudong. They mainly involve economic and trade rules, resource allocation and international arbitration, and have played an active role in enhancing Pudong's international image and influence, as well as its soft power.

That outcome is partially attributed to the multiple beneficial policies that the Expo Area has carried out, including subsidies for office rent and awards for setting up regional headquarters.

The SIIS is an advanced research institution and a well-known think tank affiliated to the Shanghai Municipal People's Government. The launch of the New Bund Research Center marks the think tank's deepening attention to the grassroots and the front line.

The seminar and the new center mark the start of strategic cooperation between the SIIS and the Expo Area's administration. Both parties plan to carry out measures to help Pudong further realize institutional opening-up and establish a higher-level institutional system that is linked with international prevailing economic and trade rules.