SHANGHAI (Reuters). Shanghai officials seek to revive confidence among multinational businesses that were frustrated and harmed by COVID-19 lockdown. This is done by multiple meetings with foreign companies and easing a critical border requirement for international workers.

China’s biggest city was damaged in the wake of the 2-month lockdown. Many foreign companies warned that their plans for investment were being reconsidered, and many expatriates moved to other cities.

It announced that the Shanghai government would host 20 meetings in March with international firms involved in key industries like automobiles, trade and semiconductors. They will come from countries and regions that are major investors, such as the United States of America, Europe, Japan, and South Korea.

The first of two meetings held so far was attended by executives from U.S. blue chips such as Procter & Gamble (NYSE:) and Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:), it said. Second meeting was attended by automakers such as Ford, General Motors (NYSE 🙂 and Tesla (NASDAQ :).

On Wednesday, the companies didn’t immediately reply to our requests for comment.

The European Chamber of Commerce also stated Tuesday that it was informed by the vice mayor of Shanghai that Shanghai no longer requires official invitation letters (so-called PU letters) for foreigners who are returning to work. This is a significant change for expats.

China started requiring foreigners to apply for visas in 2020. It has tightened its border controls significantly since the beginning of the pandemic.

Numerous firms complained about long waiting times and difficulties in getting the documents, which made it difficult to hire foreign workers.

According to the European Chamber, this was an initiative of central government to promote work and production resumption at Shanghai.

A request by the Shanghai government for comments on Wednesday was not answered immediately.

Tom Simpson, the managing director of China-Britain Business Council said that it expected to meet the Shanghai government within the next few weeks.

Shanghai provided some support for business recovery, including the issuing of logistics permits and the reopening of warehouses. But, he said that there was still not enough practical support.

Shanghai attempted to close down factories during the lockdown but the arrangement presented many difficulties for businesses.

A key obstacle is the lack of Chinese flights – most have been cancelled over two years.

China is sticking to its “zero COVID” policy to eliminate the spread of the virus. This approach has been increasingly inconsistent with that of other countries.

Joerg WUTTEK, President of EU Chamber said that China’s zero-COVID policy did not degrade Shanghai’s attraction, but China overall, as well as the other markets opening up to China and trying to draw companies from China.

He stated, “The world will not wait for China’s to fix this mess.”