TO further improve Hangzhou's business environment for foreign investment, "Hangzhou Foreign-invested Enterprises Service Month," an annual campaign held by Hangzhou government each August since 2004, is now in full swing.

Throughout the month, a series of activities are conducted between enterprises and government departments, bringing the interaction and ties between the two sides to a higher level.

At Hangzhou Eco and Tech Development Zone, local government officials have paid visits to more than 300 enterprises.

To collect suggestions and advice from foreign-owned enterprises on the area's business environment, the visits are a bid to solve any difficulties or problems enterprises might have, help them get through the economic downturn and guarantee the growth of the zone.

Physical examinations and visits to sanatoriums are provided to enterprise owners in Shangcheng District to emphasize the importance of health to the businessmen.

A team is also sent to Shanghai and other cities to visit world-famous multinational companies and outsourcing enterprises.

It helps attract foreign funds to the area.

In Jianggan District, symposiums are being held for the local government to learn the current condition of the enterprises. Education for children of expats is also an issue the local government deals with actively.

Training in the audit and financial area has been provided to those working at the enterprises in Gongshu District.

A job fair for university graduates is being held in Fuyang. The local government is also making efforts to attract more overseas Chinese students to return to Fuyang and start their own business.

In addition, forums and lectures are provided to managers at the enterprises to raise the overall capacity of entrepreneurs in Fuyang.

The campaign has been well-received by many enterprises in Hangzhou.

Managers of these enterprises all feel that they can consult with the local government and get the latest information about policies within a short time, which improves work efficiency.

Nowadays, around 10 schools in Hangzhou have been approved by the local government to enroll foreign students.

Medical consultation services at designated hospitals in Hangzhou are required to feature a group of staff who can speak foreign language.

To provide more convenience for expats, 110, the police hotline, can provide language services including Italian, Russian, Spanish, German, Thai, Japanese and English.

Statistics from Hangzhou Customs showed that in July, the total value of imports and exports in Zhejiang Province reached US$17.94 billion, a growth of 11.4 percent, demonstrating the strength of foreign trade momentum in the province over the first seven months of the year. Highlights of Hangzhou's 'Service Month'Launch ceremony and policy consultation conference

The launch ceremony of the "Hangzhou Foreign-invested Enterprises Service Month" and policy consultation meeting will be held by Hangzhou municipal government departments. Through on-site consultation, the government can help solve problems faced by those enterprises.

Date: August 14, 9am

Venue: Zhejiang Narada Hotel



Spouses' Club

For spouses of managers at middle or senior level in foreign-funded enterprises, the club will serve as a platform to learn and communicate. It will later develop into an influential cultural organization in Hangzhou.



Service ambassadors

The government will send ambassadors to key foreign-funded enterprises in Hangzhou, each person bearing tailor-made obligations with the respective enterprise. Hence, an effective communication and service system is built between the government and enterprises.



Lunch for quarterly consultation

The government will hear opinions and advice voiced by foreign-funded enterprises, help solve problems, and release latest policies. Meanwhile, the enterprises can attend all sorts of lectures on policies presented by expert groups and the "auditorium" on foreign economy and trade.



QQ group-based service platform

The platform will offer long-term consultation on questions about production, management, daily work and life. Any foreign-funded enterprises in Hangzhou can apply.

Tel: (0571) 8517-0151



Training seminars

Government departments concerned will be invited to training sessions for interactive communication with foreign-funded enterprises and mutual exploration on latest policies.



Symposium on legal affairs

Legal affairs workers in foreign-funded enterprises and related law firms in Hangzhou will be invited to discuss current hot issues, including financing channels in the economic crisis, legal risk prevention and legal risk evaluation.

Date: August 26

Venue: Zhejiang International Hotel, 221 Tiyuchang Rd

Major government departments

Hangzhou Finance Bureau

The bureau will hold lectures on "e-commerce."

Tel: (0571) 8780-2639



Hangzhou Tax Bureau

Four major activities will be conducted by the bureau: Key taxpaying enterprises can receive one-on-one service about tax; training on tax preferential policies will be offered to software outsourcing companies; publications on policy transformation about value-added tax will be distributed; and a tax affairs salon will be held to interpret the latest policy on income tax for key foreign-funded enterprises.

Tel: (0571) 8716-0556



Hangzhou Labor and Social Security Bureau

Some supporting policies will be publicized and put into practice by the bureau to offer help to foreign-funded enterprises which have engaged in social insurance and fulfilled social duties, but are suffering from the economic crisis.



Hangzhou Traffic Police Department, Public Security Bureau

The bureau will offer consultation and service on laws and rules concerning vehicles and drivers.



Hangzhou Entry-Exit Administration Bureau, Public Security Bureau

Training will be offered to foreign-funded enterprises in the Xiasha and Binjiang economic development zones, so as to offer better foreigner management and service.



Hangzhou Housing, Land and Resource Administration Bureau

The bureau will send employees to foreign-funded enterprises to collect questions, problems and suggestions on real estate management and housing system reform, and try to solve related problems.



Hangzhou Statistics Bureau

The bureau will hold activities to publicize laws and rules on statistics.

Hangzhou Customs

New policies and rules will be publicized; the Customs will also hold lectures, symposiums and on-site research to help companies; the registration information of foreign-funded enterprises will get updated to build a concise enterprise data base.

(Compiled by Qian Yanwen)