GRI China-Latam reinforces intercontinental partnership in Beijing

The summit had record attendance and included governors of SP and Piauí. There was also a week of technical visits.

August 15, 2019Infrastructure

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GRI Club Infra held the GRI China-Latam Infrastructure Summit & Week 2019 in Beijing and Shanghai, China, from August 5-9. This year's program included a major conference, the GRI China-Latam Infrastructure Summit – already in its fourth edition, on the 5th and 6th in Beijing – and the GRI China-Latam Infra Week – an agenda of strategic meetings and technical visits between the 7th and 9th in the Chinese capital city and in Shanghai. The purpose of the entire program was to encourage a closer partnership between the Asian giant and the Latin American region in the infrastructure area.

The summit brought together infrastructure executives and public representatives from Latin America (from countries such as Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru), and Chinese players. In total, more than 190 leaders were present, a record attendance of the event, considering all editions already organized.

On the Chinese side, attending the conference were representatives of companies like China Communication Construction Company (CCCC), Bank of China, Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC), China Gezhouba Group Company (CGGC), China LAC Cooperation Fund, Clai Fund, Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, China Southern Power Grid, China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC), China Railway Engineering Group (CREC), China Railway Construction Corporation (CRCC), Haitong Bank, China Huadian Corporation (CHD), Energy China, and China Merchants Capital. On the Latin American side, leaders of companies such as Barclays, Camargo Corrêa Infra, White & Case LLP, Standard & Poor's Global Ratings, BNP Paribas and Lactec.

GRI China-Latam Infrastructure Summit Highlights

The conference opened with a panel dedicated to China-Latin America relations, with a special focus on Brazil. Attending were Paulo Estivallet de Mesquita, Brazilian ambassador to Beijing, the governors of the states of São Paulo and Piauí, João Doria and Wellington Dias, respectively, and Lu Pengqi, vice-chairman of the Board of the Chinese International Trade Promotion Council (CCPIT). The occasion was opportune, among other things, for Doria and Dias to present new business infrastructure opportunities in their states to Chinese investors.

During the two days of summit activities, Latin American and Chinese players were able to discuss key issues in developing bilateral partnerships and generating business in the sector. Among other topics, alternative subjects such as funding in Latin America and the role of the Chinese investor, the potential of the power industry, and long-term planning for the region were discussed.

João Doria (São Paulo)" name="doria" src="https://cdn.griclub.org/uploads/files/Joa_o_Doria_Governor_of_Sa_o_Paulo_State_during_the_opening_session_2019_8_14_18_32_14_1565807534_2019_8_14_20_17_59_1565813879.jpg" style="height:250px; width:350px" />
João Doria (São Paulo) / Credit: GRI Club

Wellington Dias (Piauí) / Credit: GRI Club

GRI China-Latam Infra Week Highlights

At GRI China-Latam Infra Week 2019, participants of the GRI Club entourage visited local businesses and expanded dialogue with their leaders to identify new business opportunities.

On the Beijing agenda, the highlight was the trip to the Huawei research center, where they had an opportunity to learn more about new technologies for smart cities, 5G, and other innovations, in addition to the meeting with China-Latam Think Tank partners, at DeHeng Law Offices, to discuss topics such as the potential of the Brazilian power industry.

In Shanghai, in turn, the group visited the office of the New Development Bank, also known as the BRIC bank, and was welcomed by the vice president of the institution, Sarquis José Buainain Sarquis; the Fosun Group’s global headquarters to discuss the industries this fund has been investing in, and two BYD factories to get a closer look at the battery and solar panel production process.

Novelties in 2020

GRI Club Infra will return to China in 2020. The fifth edition of the GRI China-Latam Infrastructure Summit has already been confirmed for Beijing. A novelty will be meetings and visits in the city of Shenzhen, to replace Shanghai, as part of GRI China-Latam Infra Week 2020. The week will focus particularly on technology.