Johnson Controls Chairman and CEO George Oliver Joined Global Business Leaders in Dialogue With Shanghai Mayor and Leadership Team on Economic Development

The International Business Leaders’ Advisory Council had a fruitful virtual meeting

The International Business Leaders’ Advisory Council (IBLAC) convened virtually on June 19 to dialogue and prepare for the main conference to be held in October in Shanghai. Johnson Controls Chairman and CEO, George Oliver, was one of the 24 global business leaders in this distinguished council who joined the virtual conference. The other council members included chairmen and CEOs from PwC, ABB, Siemens, L’Oreal, Novartis, General Motors and Schneider.

The council members had a fruitful three-hour virtual meeting with the top Shanghai government officials, discussing pertinent matters including the city’s epidemic control measures and economic growth opportunities. This was IBLAC’s first virtual meeting in its 30-plus year history.

IBLAC was initiated by the Shanghai municipal government in the late 1980’s. Every autumn, the Shanghai Mayor invites council members to gather in Shanghai as his leadership team consults them on the most important issues for Shanghai’s economic development.  With a good representation across industries, council members have contributed many invaluable insights from varied perspectives to the Shanghai Government.

At the meeting on June 19, Shanghai Vice Mayor Wu Qing sought George's views on upgrading traditional industries and accelerating the digital transformation of manufacturing sector. George advised the vice mayor to “innovate in China for China”, citing Johnson Controls’ recent collaboration with the Singapore Government on an innovation lab as an example. Local innovation can be catalyzed by encouraging greater collaboration between the government, the MNCs and the local universities. George also shared recommendations on how the government can develop policies to enable and encourage businesses to upgrade and transform. George participated in his first IBLAC meeting in Shanghai last October. His continued high-level engagement with the Shanghai mayor and top leaders has demonstrated Johnson Controls’ commitment to China market and will benefit both Shanghai’s development and our business in China.

Regarding the pandemic, the council members recognized that it was a test for cities to demonstrate good governance and competitiveness, and Shanghai has done well. Members also said that they will push forward the development of new business models and contribute more to Shanghai’s growth.

The Shanghai Municipal Government Party Secretary Li Qiang concluded, “Shanghai plays a central role in stabilizing China’s production and supply chain, and thus to better serving the global market.” Shanghai’s Acting Mayor Gong Zheng also committed to the members that the city will create more opportunities for investors with continued efforts to improve its business environment.