Shanghai FTZ - a powerful springboard

Shanghai, the key hub for commodities trading in China, has long been a city keen to experiment with new ideas. Its latest initiative is the China Shanghai Pilot Free Trade Zone the “Zone”. The Zone was launched on 29 September 2013 following the publication by the State Council, China’s cabinet, of the General Plan of China Shanghai Pilot Free Trade Zone the “Plan”. see note 1

The Plan sets in motion wide-ranging reforms covering finance, commerce and regulation. By many measures, China is the most significant player in the commodities markets. The Plan addresses this critical role by introducing a raft of measures to attract participants in the...