The theme of this year’s 22nd International Business Leaders’ Advisory Council for the Mayor of Shanghai was "to build Shanghai as a vibrant and innovative city." About 80 leaders of some of the world’s largest companies, including HSBC, Tesco, Danone and Novartis, attended.
Shanghai Mayor Han Zheng stressed the importance of innovation as the city aims to become the world’s financial and shipping center, and committed to invest US$14.99 billion in key industries including new IT, biology, high-end manufacturing and new energy over the next three years.
S Gopalakrishnan, CEO of Infosys Technologies, said that Shanghai should focus on information technology. "If Shanghai wants to bring about change, it must become a major force in information technology."
Trading Markets reported John Bond, chairman of Vodafone Group, as saying, "Innovation is about seeing what others can’t, and being able to get there first."
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