Fair provides job opportunities and career advice

The Employment, Entrepreneurship and Enterprise International Fair 2020 took place in Shanghai Mart on Sept 12 and 13.

The event, which also included workshops, seminars and an entrepreneurship competition, was held by The Expatriate Center, a non-profit organization providing service to foreigners in the city, with support from the local government and several foreign commerce chambers.

Around 90 companies, both local and international, including Dulwich College Shanghai Puxi, United Overseas Bank and Chinaccelerator participated in the fair, offering more than 200 jobs and showcasing their products and services to the expatriate community in Shanghai.

Matt Spriegel, founder of a startup Atiom, said he is looking for designers, customer service professionals and business development mangers.

"This fair is really good for us to find talented people. It also opens up a lot of opportunities for us," he said.

Canadian Abdellatif Fqihi, who came to China in January, was one of the more than 800 registered visitors at the event.

"I am thinking of starting a business here, so I came to look for new opportunities and ideas," he said. "I am studying Mandarin right now, and as China's economy is going back to normal, I want to make some connections."

At the consultation area of the fair, officials from Changning district's human resources and social security bureau, exit-entry administration office, and foreign affairs office provided one-on-one policy consultations.

In addition, professionals from banks, law firms and companies gave advice on career development, banking services and foreign investment.

Xie Baochao, a lawyer at Allbright Law Office, said some foreigners were eager to know about the country's new Foreign Investment Law.

"I told them the law stipulates that foreign investors will receive the same treatment as domestic companies, such as access to government funds, land supply and tax exemptions," he said.

The fair also featured workshops on subjects such as startup fundraising, social entrepreneurship and building a personal brand.

British expat Rajan Kandola, who has been working in an advertising agency in Shanghai for four years, visited the fair to hear what some of the speakers had to say.

"I plan to start a company to help UK clients advertise in China, and I'm very interested in entrepreneurship. I'd like to speak with people around to understand more about the current business environment," he said.

Linda Painan, chairperson of The Expatriate Center, said the center has been dedicated to helping foreigners seamlessly adjust to life and work in China since it was founded two years ago.

"Few foreigners can return to China now due to the pandemic, so there is a huge demand for talents who are currently in the country," she said.

"By organizing this fair, we help local companies to find foreign talents and foreign companies to find local talents."