On June 30, Guangdong Development and Reform Commission (GDDRC) convened the Guangdong Business Environment Optimization Conference in Huangpu District, Guangzhou. The conference focused on presenting Guangdong’s experience and achievements in optimizing the business environment, and outlining its key tasks for the next stage. Ai Xuefeng, Director of GDDRC and Guangdong GBA Affairs Office，attended the conference and delivered a speech. Representatives from Guangdong Administration for Market Regulation, Guangdong Tax Service, Guangdong Power Grid Corporation, and relevant government departments of Guangzhou and Shantou shared their experience and insights; experts from Guangdong Survey and Research Center and Jinan University gave lectures on the province’s business environment assessment and the Regulations of Guangdong Province on Optimizing Business Environment (hereinafter referred to as the “Regulations”).

At the conference, it was pointed out that with the concerted efforts of all localities and government departments across the province, Guangdong had achieved remarkable success in business environment reform.

First, business environment assessment has played a significant role in promoting development and excellency. Through the assessment practices in the past two years, it can be seen that all localities and government departments have intensified their efforts in improving the business environment.Principle responsible officials of the Party and government departments supervised the business environment construction directly. Some cities have even made business environment optimization their top priority in reform. With these efforts, Guangdong has seen fruitful results in the reforms of areas such as starting business startup, electricity obtainment, tax payment, and property registration.

Second, a package of successful practices has been formed based on the development of business environment pilot zones. Full support has been given to Guangzhou and Shenzhen in conducting national business environment innovation pilot programs. Efforts have been made to promote the construction of provincial business environment comprehensive reform projects and innovation experimental zones in Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Shantou, Dongguan, and Huangpu District, Guangzhou. In the China Business Environment Assessment Report 2021 released by the National Development and Reform Commission, Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Dongguan, and Zhuhai were listed as national model cities.

Third, reforms in key fields of the business environment have made it easier for market entities to start a business and access government services. Currently, all procedures for starting a business can be completed online within one working day on average. Small and medium enterprises can apply for access to low-voltage power supply for free without paying a visit to the service center or waiting for approval, which indicates that Guangdong has reached the international advanced level in this regard. Taxpayers no longer need to travel to the tax service center for tax declaration or payment, as contactless tax service has become a common practice. Guangdong’s integrated government service capacity has ranked first in the country for three consecutive years; online service platforms such as “Yue Sheng Shi”, “Yue Shang Tong”, and “Yue Zheng Yi” have become indispensable parts of business operations and residents’ lives.

It was emphasized that in the next step, the focus shall be placed on the following five aspects in accordance with the work arrangements of the provincial Party committee and the provincial government. First, advance implementation of the Regulations. The mandatory reform tasks stipulated in the Regulations shall be fully carried out. Efforts shall be made to deepen the reform and achieve important breakthroughs in the key links and core areas of the business environment. Second, advance special rectification work in key fields. Targeted campaigns will be conducted to tackle the most prominent issues in a focused manner. Third, carry out key quantitative index benchmarking and upgrading campaigns in less developed cities in the east, west, and north of Guangdong. Business environment assistance will play an important role in the future targeted assistance and collaboration programs in Guangdong. Fourth, establish business environment comprehensive reform models. High-tech zones, economic development zones, comprehensive bonded areas, and prefectures (cities or districts) should make coordinated efforts to promote business environment reforms in an orderly manner, build business environment models, and develop a number of superior investment destinations and clusters that are open for businesses at home and abroad. Last but not least, promote business environment construction by assessment. Based on the latest business environment assessment systems of China and the World Bank, improvements should be made to the indexes and methodologies of Guangdong’s business environment assessment. The ultimate goal is to promote the continuous optimization of the business environment in all localities.

This conference was presided over by Zhu Wei , Deputy Director of GDDRC and Executive Deputy Director of Guangdong GBA Affairs Office, and was attended by representatives of relevant provincial departments, development and reform bureaus (commissions) of prefecture-level cities, and relevant offices of GDDRC. Before the meeting, participants made a visit to the “Small and Medium Enterprises Can Do Big Things” Pioneer Demonstration Zone, Government Service Center, and LG Display Co. Ltd. in Guangzhou Development District.