Big deals, bigger reach: Guangming makes strong showing in Europe

A delegation from Shenzhen’s Guangming District brought back home significant results after a trade mission to Budapest and Vienna from May 28 to June 1.

During the trip, the delegation engaged with nearly 20 key institutions and companies and hosted two major industry exchange events that attracted more than 100 companies.

A snapshot from Guangming’s investment promotion events in Europe. Courtesy of the event organizers

The delegation inked three strategic cooperation agreements and obtained business orders exceeding 2.3 billion yuan (approximately US$320 million). These achievements underscore Guangming’s proactive efforts to expand into the European market and support high-quality Belt and Road cooperation.

A key highlight of the trip was the establishment of Guangming’s first overseas enterprise service platform in Hungary. By teaming up with CTP Group, Europe's major industrial park developer, Guangming has built a dedicated service workstation to support Chinese companies expanding into Europe.

The platform will provide localized services ranging from site selection to operational support, while also facilitating CTP’s expansion into the Chinese market.

The delegation also made significant strides in biomedicine and advanced manufacturing. In Vienna, Shenzhen Weiguang Biological Products reached an agreement with global sterilization equipment supplier SBM to collaborate on upgrading key pharmaceutical production technologies. Additionally, discussions with European digital technology leaders explored joint drug development projects, leveraging the advanced neuroscience research infrastructure in Guangming.

Streamlining market access was also a key priority. Talks with TÜV Rheinland Hungary focused on establishing clear certification and compliance pathways for the European Union market. The organization, which already operates a Greater Bay Area center in Guangming, plans to expand its support for local companies pursuing international certification.

To strengthen manufacturing support, the delegation engaged with Videoton, a prominent Hungarian industrial group providing contract manufacturing and logistics for the home appliance, automotive, and consumer electronics sectors. This collaboration is expected to help Shenzhen firms establish localized production and delivery networks throughout Europe.

Beyond industry, the visit also deepened ties in education and research. Partnerships with institutions such as Semmelweis University in Hungary and the Vienna BioCenter will foster collaboration in medical research, technology transfer, and talent cultivation, complementing Guangming’s rapidly expanding life sciences ecosystem.

During business forums in both cities, Guangming-based companies secured deals totaling more than 2.3 billion yuan in the new energy, healthcare, and high-end manufacturing sectors.

Highlighting its international business environment, Guangming, which already hosts more than 1,700 foreign-invested firms, invited European firms to leverage the district as a gateway into the Chinese market.

The trip delivered both tangible economic results and solidified Guangming’s reputation as a rising global hub for innovation, industry, and international cooperation.