Jian Zhen

jz19991009@gmail.com

LEADING a delegation on a recent tour of the Longhua International Cooperation Center (LICC) in Shenzhen, Tommaso Sacchi, Milan’s councillor for culture, praised the center’s ability to drive global trade, bridge industries, and foster direct connections between international cities.

The delegation gained a deeper understanding of how LICC serves as a bridge between Longhua and the rest of the world, connecting local companies with international resources while creating opportunities for cooperation in technology, creativity, design and emerging industries.

Sacchi highlighted the center’s role in helping local enterprises bypass geographical barriers and establish direct relationships with international markets.

“It is really interesting to see how a facilitation model in trade and company relations is focused on building new connections at the international level,” Sacchi said.

He noted that platforms like LICC offer an institutional framework that helps local enterprises scale globally.

“With centers like this, you have an institutional level that gives local companies the opportunity to grow and to have a direct relationship with other cities,” Sacchi said.

As an important international cooperation platform in Shenzhen, LICC has established communication channels with more than 500 foreign-related business associations. Through business matchmaking, international exchanges, and resource coordination, the center helps domestic enterprises navigate overseas markets while introducing global partners to Shenzhen’s innovation ecosystem.

The visit also emphasized the potential to pair Milan’s established design and fashion industries with Longhua’s digital innovation, advanced technologies, and emerging sectors.

Sacchi described the exchange as an important step toward connecting “two cultures, two cities and two areas that are so relevant to the world.”

For Alessandro Cormio, creative director of Shenzhen Naturality Marketing Services Co. Ltd., international cooperation platforms provide critical support for businesses targeting global expansion. Cormio, a Naples native, has worked in brand design and marketing for many years.

He said navigating cultural and regulatory differences remains a primary obstacle for firms entering new markets.

LICC’s international network and resources help mitigate these risks by providing market education and connecting businesses with suitable overseas partners.