The Shanghai Global Investment Promotion Conference 2026, along with week-long investment activities, is scheduled to commence on March 14, local officials announced during a press conference on Saturday.

Nearly 500 renowned domestic and international enterprises have confirmed their participation in this year’s conference, including industry giants such as AstraZeneca, GE and Haier. Prominent investment institutions like Brookfield Asset Management, KKR, and Qiming Venture Partners, as well as innovative startups such as artificial intelligence company MiniMax and Horizon Robotics, are also expected to attend.

The launch of several new platforms will be among the highlights of this year’s conference, Tang Wenkan, director of the Shanghai Municipal Commission of Economy and Informatization said on Saturday.

These include public service platforms focusing on computing power resources, language data supply, and companies’ outbound reaches. Pilot testing platforms will also be introduced in areas like intelligent terminal hardware-software adaptation, advanced civil aircraft manufacturing, and components for embodied AI. Landmark application scenarios will be unveiled during the event, including a training facility for humanoid robots, a high-level autonomous driving demonstration zone, and a test base for new-type aircraft, according to Tang.

A batch of new projects are expected to be signed during the conference, which includes a local integrated circuit company’s new base serving the integrated manufacturing of 3D chips, as well as the R&D and production of general aviation engines. The open innovation center of French tire and mobility company Michelin will also be signed during the event period.

Shanghai will release version 3.0 of its industry map, aimed at guiding districts to focus on leading industries and cultivating 25 niche sectors, each targeting an annual output value of 100 billion yuan ($16 billion), according to Tang.

He also revealed that Shanghai plans to integrate AI agents into government services for enterprises to better match businesses with relevant policies.

For the first time, the conference will be held at the Oriental Hub International Business Cooperation Zone in Pudong New Area, a new landmark in Shanghai.

Pudong’s Deputy Head Li Hui said the district aims to build clusters of hardcore industries during the 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026-30). Specifically, IC, biomedicine, intelligent connected vehicles, and software and information services are each expected to exceed their respective value of 500 billion yuan. The industrial value of AI and intelligent terminals are projected to hit 200 billion yuan each, while civil aviation, shipbuilding and marine engineering, embodied AI, and new energy sectors are expected to achieve breakthroughs at the 100-billion-yuan level, she said.

In 2025, Shanghai introduced 4,463 key projects with total investment reaching 1.26 trillion yuan. Projects in manufacturing, software and information services accounted for over half of newly landed projects last year, reflecting optimization of the investment structure, said Pu Yapeng, deputy director of the Shanghai Municipal Commission of Economy and Informatization.