OVERSEAS investors in Hong Kong and Macao now have expanded opportunities to apply for licenses for starting a business in Shenzhen without being physically present in the city, thanks to the recently completed enhancement of the smart service terminals in the two special administrative regions by the Shenzhen Municipal Administration for Market Regulation. The development streamlines the registration process and broadens the scope of eligible documents for investors in Hong Kong and Macao. The self-service terminals have been upgraded to accommodate a wider range of business registrations and accept various forms of identification, such travel permits to the Chinese mainland for Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan residents, permanent residence cards for expats, and residence cards for Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan residents. Applicants can pick up their licenses in real time after finalizing the registration process. In 2022, Shenzhen’s market authority introduced time-saving self-service machines in Hong Kong and Macao, where investors could submit their applications. Now over 100 such smart self-service terminals are operational across the two cities, facilitating cross-border investments in Shenzhen. In addition, the market authority has also piloted the use of audio and video technologies for real-name registration for overseas investors, and launched a one-stop service window to take care of all the matters related to starting a business including business licensing, taxes, social security, housing provident fund and making appointments to open utility accounts for the new establishments. (Wei Jie) | 