Shanghai Party Secretary Han Zheng said on Monday that China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone must aim at the world's highest standards as it carries out reforms and opening in the next five years.
Speaking at a session of the CPC Shanghai Congress, Han said the free trade zone has a pilot role in comprehensive reform, opening and innovation. Efforts must be made to reform investment management system, strengthen trade supervision, promote innovation, and stimulate the market.
Shanghai FTZ should reform business registration procedures and separate business licenses from official permits and certificates. Government services for imports and exports must be provided through a "single window", he added.
The Party chief said the FTZ will conduct stress tests for market opening, gradually relax investment control and cut the negative list.
He urged Shanghai officials to streamline cross-border service trade through innovation and adopt high standards in administration and supervision of free trade areas in the zone.
Pudong New Area, where the FTZ is located, should have an e-government portal which is a one-stop shop of public services for companies and individuals. People can apply for certificates, licenses, and other official services locally. Cloud technology allows different government agencies to share data, Han said.
"Shanghai Free Trade Zone should act as a springboard for Chinese companies to invest in 'Belt and Road' countries. Various cooperation platforms should be set up to facilitate the development of core technologies and competitive offshore tax systems," he said.
