New Shanghai Office builds on strong relationships with China

Fortescue Metals Group (Fortescue) yesterday opened its new office in Shanghai, the People’s Republic of China.

Chief Executive Officer, Elizabeth Gaines, and Chief Operating Officer, Greg Lilleyman, celebrated the official opening in Shanghai with:

• Hon Paul Papalia CSC MLA, Minister for Tourism, Government of Western Australia, representing Hon Mark McGowan MLA, Premier of Western Australia,
• Mr Luo Tiejun, Vice Chairman, China Iron and Steel Association, representing Mr He Wenbo, Executive Vice Chairman, China Iron and Steel Association
• Dominic Trindade, Australia’s Consul-General in Shanghai

Shanghai Government officials, customers and members of the Fortescue team also attended the event.

The opening of Fortescue’s new office in Shanghai follows the successful establishment in mid-2019 of a wholly owned Chinese sales entity, FMG Trading Shanghai Co. Ltd (FMG Trading) which supplies products directly to Chinese customers in smaller volumes, in Renminbi from regional ports. The new Shanghai office builds on Fortescue’s presence in China and will now include the activities of FMG Trading, as well as supporting Fortescue’s relationships with existing and new Chinese customers, partners and suppliers.

“It’s now been more than a decade since our first commercial shipment of iron ore in 2008. Over that time Fortescue has become a core supplier of seaborne iron ore to China and we are proud to contribute to the remarkable urban development of China, which is now expanding to the broader Asian region via the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI),” Ms Gaines said.  

“The establishment of our new Shanghai office expands our already deep, multifaceted relationships with China which extend beyond our customer relationships to partnerships, procurement, investment, financing and social, academic and policy linkages. We look forward to continuing to build on Fortescue’s strong engagement with China for many years to come,” Ms Gaines said.

Minister Papalia said, “The Western Australian Government appreciates the relationship that it and companies operating in Western Australia have with China.  Building on its longstanding presence in Shanghai, Fortescue having an office in this world class city further underpins and strengthens the excellent and diverse connection between China and the State of Western Australia.”

Mr Luo Tiejun said, "Fortescue is an important partner for the Chinese steel industry and we are looking forward to strengthening our mutually beneficial cooperation going forward."