The Greater Bay Area (GBA) initiative is an ambitious plan to integrate and transform nine mainland cities in the Pearl River Delta and two special administrative regions – Hong Kong and Macao – into an international bay area that will rival other such world-class city clusters like the New York, San Francisco, and Tokyo bay areas. Since the formulation of the GBA initiative in 2017, business communities have placed high expectation on the coordinated development among GBA cities, as the removal of barriers that limit the movement of trade, capital, information, and people – coupled with targeted government policies – will allow various industries to flourish. Given its dynamic and comprehensive industry landscape, its large and wealthy local consumer base, as well its ability to attract highly skilled talents, the GBA is one of China’s most investor-friendly areas with a long history of foreign engagement. Nevertheless, with China’s economy being affected by some downward pressure, including uncertainties caused by mounting geopolitical tensions, comparatively week consumption trends, and the sluggish real estate sector, businesses that tailor their strategy to the GBA’s priorities and have a better understanding of the region will be best placed to benefit from its ambitious agenda. Designed to introduce the fundamentals of investing in the GBA, this publication is compiled by experts at Dezan Shira & Associates, a specialist foreign direct investment firm providing corporate establishment services, business advisory, tax advisory and compliance, accounting, payroll, due diligence, and financial review services to multinationals investing in emerging Asia. We hope this publication can help foreign investors stay nimble in the GBA region amid an otherwise challenging time. | 