Opportunities remain in post-coronavirus Wuhan: Air Liquide China CEO

With Wuhan back in action in so many ways, the city is proactively seeking foreign investment. It has made many efforts to recover its economy, after the unprecedented coronavirus pandemic hit the city.

Nicolas Poirot, CEO of Air Liquide China, said he is glad to see the city regaining its vitality.

"(We had) to make sure that we would be able to follow every one of our employees all the time. If they needed support, and (we need to figure out) how can we support time remotely. Because some of our plants had to operate. We could not stop the plant any time," said Poirot, recalling his Wuhan branch's challenges during the pandemic.

Back then, Air Liquide had been offering oxygen to local hospitals. It also provided industrial gas to the construction of Huoshenshan and Leishenshan, the two temporary hospitals designated for COVID-19 patients.

Despite the pandemic affected the city, Poirot said, he chose to stay.

"The opportunities we see here have not changed. Because we don't invest for ourselves, we invest because our customers invest here. We see our high tech and electronic customers still accelerating their projects here in Wuhan," Poirot said.

Sitting in central China and along the Yangtze River economic belt, Wuhan is committed to creating a friendly environment for foreign companies. During its first foreign investment forum on Friday since the COVID-19 outbreak, Wang Zhonglin, Party chief of the Wuhan Municipal CPC Committee, said the pandemic has strengthened their determination. 

"The heroic city is ready to take off again," Wang noted. "We warmly welcome foreign companies to continue to invest in Wuhan."

Wuhan desperately needs to recover its economy as it enters the post-pandemic era, and with its message of openness, it hopes to enhance trust with the rest of the world.