Commentary
As with other tier 1 and 1.5 cities, Chengdu is investing heavily into innovation and entrepreneurship. The rapidly expanding start-up environment, as a central pillar of innovation, has received a significant boost through new infrastructure, subsidies and policy incentives.
For New Zealand start-ups looking to tap into the Chinese market and raise capital, Chengdu can be a good fit. The lower cost of living and doing business and a large and vibrant market can give a start-up more time to localise and grow. There is growing interest, and early examples of two-way flow of start-ups between Chengdu and New Zealand have been positive.
The Consulate is continuing to build connections between the New Zealand and Chengdu ecosystems through engagement with stakeholders from both sides and seeking opportunities to foster partnerships. Two precedent-setting examples in 2016 demonstrate the potential, but have also highlighted some challenges and provided useful insights into the wider Chinese start-up scene.
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Courtesy of: New Zealand Consulate-General, Chengdu
May 19, 2017