According to the statistics from Shanghai Ministry of Commerce, in the Year 2017, although the total paid foreign investment decreased a bit than that of the last year, that for the headquarters and in the China (Shanghai) Free Trade Pilot Zone showed the trend of increasing. Headquarter and Shanghai Free Trade Zone are now becoming the important support for absorbing foreign investment in Shanghai.

In the Year 2017, the total paid foreign investment in Shanghai is USD 17 billion, 8% less than the last year. The main reason for it is the governmental control on the real estate industry and financial service industry, which decreased 40% and 23% respectively.

Whilst, the headquarter-oriented business service industry had the paid foreign investment around USD 5 billion, 5% up than the last year, which also take 29% of the total paid foreign investment in Shanghai. It has become the biggest industry to absorbing the foreign investment.

 The newly-established multinational regional headquarter in 2017 is 45, among which 14 are for the Asia Pacific Area. The total multinational regional headquarter in Shanghai reach 625, among which 70 are for the Asia Pacific Area. The newly-established foreign invested research and development center is 15 and the total reach 426. More and more multinational regional headquarters moved their management and decision, procurement and sales, research and development, capital operation and shared service function to Shanghai. It shows the position of Shanghai as the brain of foreign investment and the quality for attracting foreign investment is further improved.

In the Year 2017, the total paid foreign investment in Shanghai Free Trade Zone is USD 6 billion, 6% up than the last year. The new project related to the opening up in the Shanghai Free Trade Zone is 412, covering financial, marine, culture and professional service. The first foreign invested financial-related investment company and the first sino-foreign cooperative training agent in China were established in the Shanghai Free Trade Zone.

The service industry in Shanghai takes 95% of the total paid foreign investment in Shanghai. It shows the industry structure and development power is now concentrating on the service industry. On the other hand, Shanghai, as the center for the traditional manufacturing industry, has much space for the advanced and high-end manufacturing industry.