10 steps to starting a business in China
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E-mail Agencies, August 31, 2012
2. Pick a location.
At this point, you have an entire country at your disposal, but you can't set your business down just anywhere and expect to be a success.
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Guangzhou [file photo] |
First, get to know the big cities. Shanghai, Beijing and Guangzhou are the major business, government, and industrial centers. The very nature of your business may require you set down in one of the big cities. If you're a tech company, for instance, Beijing may be the place for you. Find out where the action is happening in your industry.
The major business centers aren't your only options, either. Some companies find moving inland to be the better bet. Ken Wong, president of the holding company Covenant Group of China suggests asking yourself the following questions, especially if you're selling goods rather than services, to determine how near to or far from the coast you need to be:
• What are your transportation needs?
• What are your logistical needs?
• Are you relying on goods that may be imported to China?
• How can you get the goods from the port to your location?
• What government inspections and restrictions will you be subject to? Once you've settled on a region, you have to find an office, since you'll need proof of a lease to register your business.
"You have to get an office rent agreement and you can use that as your office address," says Thomas Yang, a Philadelphia-based legal consultant with Stevens & Lee, and former judge and corporate lawyer from China. The agreement essentially promises you the space on the condition your business gets approved.
Find office space through a realtor, just as you would back home. Whatever space you choose, though, make sure it is zoned for the type of business you're planning on opening.
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