The third Annual Meeting of Jinan Mayor's International Economic Consultation Commission was held in Jinan, capital of Shandong province, from Sept 4 to 5.

A total of 18 members of the consultation committee, who are also business elites from top companies such as Saint-Gobain, Microsoft, Danfoos and Engie Group, gathered in the city to share their insights into the city's development.

The Jinan Area of Shandong Pilot Free Trade Zone was recently launched, ushering in a new era in the city's quest to open up to the outside world. The participants took the opportunity to share their views on how to further boost Jinan's economic opening up.

Christian Sommer, CEO of the German Center in Shanghai, described the vital role small and medium-sized enterprises play in helping Jinan build a better industrial environment and urged the city to bring in small and medium-sized enterprises from across the world.

Charlotte Roule, CEO of Engie China, urged the city to accelerate construction on the National Zero-carbon Transformation Demonstration Zone.

A total of 17 proposals were put forward at the meeting on Sept 5, touching on areas such as finance, talent and energy.

The third Annual Meeting of Jinan Mayor's International Economic Consultation Commission is held in Jinan, capital of Shandong province, from Sept 4 to 5. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Christian Sommer, CEO of the German Center in Shanghai delivers a speech at the 2019 IECC in Jinan, Shandong province. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]