To enter Dongguan, one might have to get his visa renewed from Hong Kong. Hong Kong allows visa-less entry for British, American and residents of some other countries. From Hong Kong, one may enter Dongguan by bus, ferry or by train. Trains and ferries are the best options as trains allow an easy entry if you enter on board a mass transit train, and ferries are usually more economical, but ferries and busses both call for routine customs and immigration checks at the Hong Kong border.
The city is known for its progressive approach toward foreign direct investment or FDI. It is one of the largest exporting areas in China, third to be precise, behind Shanghai and Shenzhen and it a major center for Taiwanese export and import. The city is also accredited with hosting the first even Sino-American conference on intellectual rights and the agenda of that meet discussed important trade and intellect related issues such as Patent protection and educational and technological exchange and proliferation. This meeting was a huge international success with almost 40,000 attendants and put Dongguan on the international map of economic affairs since 2005, when this meeting took place.
The city will supposedly also invest $500 million over the next 5 yrs, starting from 2005, in the field of infrastructure development for the IT industry. The city has already taken some bold steps towards the fulfillment of this aim by opening the Dongguan Science and Technology Museum and the High tech Commerce Park in partnership with global names such as California based Global IT academy.
Dongguan is a relatively small port, but it is a hub for import and export of goods to and from Taiwan. For the investor, it is relatively easy to invest here if you are a foreigner and are willing to invest in the FDI schemes. China has this very peculiar method of establishing centralized pockets for a particular kind of business. These specific areas are home to specific kinds of businesses, which makes the job of the investor easy. Therefore, the best option for an investment in Dongguan is in FDI only. This town is also poised to be one of the leading ports in near future, when Shenzhen and Shanghai ports start working to their full capacity. This is the only port option left thereafter, and therefore, to invest in Shipping companies and other port related trades right now in Dongguan is also being seen as a very profitable option these days by local and foreign investors.
There are some other factors, which boost FDI investment in Dongguan. The geographical and business environment is aptly suited for FDI investment here. Policy makers are also pushing this agenda forward, making it easier for the investors. The GDP of Dongguan has been pegged at 22%, which is quite high when compared to overall economy of China and GDPs of some other top performing economic hubs in China, including Shanghai and Hong Kong. Some other accolades and rankings point to the strength of Dongguan as a potential business center of the future and the present. It is ranked 7th strongest economy in China in terms of diversification of investment opportunities, 3rd strongest city in terms of export value offered and also the 4th strongest in terms of foreign exchange earnings.
Dongguan is the right place for the foreign investor who expects moderate returns without risking his money too much and this township is being projected as a promising center of foreign trade and techno-cultural trade in the coming days.