Town of Lexington Hosts Chinese Business Delegation
T he Town of Lexington recently hosted the Shanghai Zhangjiang Delegation for an afternoon of business and history. The seven-member delegation represented investment and biotech interests from Shanghai, China. Lexington was the third stop on their 10-day trip to investigate investment and development opportunities in the US and abroad.
The visit began with tour of the new Shire facility led by Bill Ciambrone, Senior Vice President of Technical Operations for Shire. Mr. Ciambrone emphasized the importance of both the cutting-edge technology used at Shire and the close relationship they have forged with Minuteman High School. Shire sponsors two programs at the school that help develop curriculums and offer internships to students in the Shire labs. Many of the students in the internship program go on to become Shire employees.
After the tour, the Delegation heard presentations from Peter Abair, Director of Economic Development at the industry association Mass BIO. Mr. Abair gave an overview of the State’s biotechnology industry, how it began, where it is now, and its projected growth.
Angus McQuilken, Vice President of Communications at the Mass Life Sciences Center, explained the state’s role in supporting business growth. The organization has been charged by the state with promoting the expansion of the life sciences industry in Massachusetts by providing tools and funding sources to businesses. Like Shire, they also encourage recent graduates to pursue careers in Massachusetts life sciences through an online resume exchange between graduates and businesses.
Finally, Bob Richards,President of Richards Barry, Joyce, and Partners, offered a look at the commercial real estate aspect of life sciences within the U.S. and the Greater Boston area in particular.
Following the presentations, the Delegation expressed intense interest in the Rte. 128 Technology Highway area. They requested more information and further discussions about real estate options and available sites along the corridor.
Returning to the Battle Green, the group enjoyed Lexington’s hospitality like almost any other tourist. They took pictures with the Minuteman Statue and learned a little history. Unlike other tourists, they received a brief lesson in Massachusetts politics from Rep. Jay Kaufman, who had come to the center to greet the group.
Delegation leader Ding Lei, President and Managing Director of the Shanghai Zhangjiang Group, compared US and Chinese companies this way, “US companies are strict, they are set in their ways. In China, companies change a lot. They are more flexible, adaptable.” He added, “Americans have strong capabilities and great education to offer companies.”
Lexington is one of only five cities the group will visit. They had already visited Singapore and San Francisco. New York would be their final stop before returning home to China.
When asked what his favorite stop in the US had been, Lei immediately answered, “Lexington. Of course.” Causing Rep. Kaufman to quip, “He’s not only a businessman, he’s a politician, too.”
The delegation ended the day at a brief reception with the Board of Selectman, Town Manager Carl Valente and other local dignitaries where the groups exchanged gifts as a token of their new friendship. The Chinese delegation offered traditional style Chinese tea sets to their hosts and the Town of Lexington gifted commemorative coins to their guests.