Shanghai has rolled out a fresh package of pro-investment policies and major projects as its flagship Global Investment Promotion Conference kicked off on Tuesday, underscoring efforts to cement the city’s position as a magnet for high-quality global capital.

The city unveiled its 2025 key industry layout map, identifying 10 strategic sectors—such as artificial intelligence, integrated circuits, biomedicine, and new energy—as future economic pillars. Four existing industries—electronics, automotive, advanced manufacturing, and software—have already each surpassed 1 trillion yuan (US$137.7 billion) in output.

Mayor Gong Zheng reiterated Shanghai’s push to build a world-class, market-driven business environment and strengthen the "Invest in Shanghai" brand.

The conference saw the signing of 21 major investment deals, each worth over 1 billion yuan, spanning advanced materials, green energy, and high-end equipment. Two 50-billion-yuan funds were also launched to support industrial upgrades.

New initiatives include the Intelligent Manufacturing Space Cloud Chain Platform, an online tool to link businesses with industrial space, and recognition of 10 “Global Investment Partners” such as EY and HongShan.

Now in its fifth year, the event also kicks off a week of investor-focused activities, including high-level matchmaking sessions and closed-door talks with private, foreign, and state-owned enterprises. Since 2020, Shanghai has attracted over 580 projects worth a combined 1.1 trillion yuan.