The city of Nantong, Jiangsu province, opened an 'entrepreneur salon', on Sept 23, in direct response to China's Belt and Road Initiative, with the idea of helping local companies expand overseas by giving them a better understanding of government policies and offshore financial services and help with outbound investment.

There were local authorities on hand to elaborate on government policies and financial support and to encourage entrepreneurs to take advantage of favorable policies, as well as financial experts to explain offshore financial services in greater detail. Some company representatives also described their own experiences of starting a business abroad.

The organizers had help from the Nantong branch of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade and the China Merchants Bank, and had representatives of 70 local enterprises taking part.