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Shanghai Covid curbs prompt half of US firms in China to cut revenue forecasts, says survey
An aerial view shows the Lujiazui financial district and other buildings along the Huangpu river amid a lockdown to contain the spread of the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) in Shanghai, China March 30, 2022. — Reuters pic
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SHANGHAI, April 1 — More than half of US multinational companies in China have reduced their annual revenue projections, mostly due to the recent COVID-19 outbreak in Shanghai, according to a joint survey by the American Chambers of Commerce in Shanghai and Beijing published on Friday.
Responses to the survey, conducted with 167 companies operating throughout China including 76 in manufacturing, found 82 per cent of manufacturers reported slowed or reduced production due to a lack of employees, inability to obtain supplies, or government-ordered lockdowns.
More than half, or 54 per cent, have cut 2022 revenue projections following the outbreak, though 38 per cent said it was too early to estimate the impact.
Some manufacturers in Shanghai, particularly in the automotive industry, have resorted to operating with a “closed-loop”, wherein employees remain confined to the premises in order to keep production lines running, while outside suppliers are sealed off. [L2N2VW0U0[
Eric Zheng, president of the American Chamber of Commerce in Shanghai, said that the such arrangements are acceptable for a few days but “not sustainable” long term.
“Even if your employees are within the factory bubble, your trucks have to come and go sending inputs and outputs, but that’s not possible,” said Zheng.
“I hope this is only a temporary, drastic measure to stop the spread.”
Shanghai has been battling its largest outbreak for nearly a month and this week most of the city of 26 million people was put under lockdown as cases continued to surge.
Authorities have implemented the lockdown in two phases, first targeting the eastern part of the city, followed by the west.
AmCham said that only half of the respondents were satisfied with China’s pandemic efforts, and 77 per cent had expressed dissatisfaction with the length of quarantines.
A growing number of local companies have also disclosed how the Shanghai lockdown is weighing on them, ranging from suspended operations and stagnant sales, to drying liquidity and delayed financial disclosures.
Shanghai-based power transmission equipment maker Sieyuan Electric Co 002028.SZ said the pandemic has disrupted operations, logistics and raw material supplies, impacting its first quarter and full-year performance.
East Money Information Co 300059.SZ said it was highly uncertain if its annual shareholder meeting can be held at its Shanghai headquarters on April 8, and is suggesting shareholders participate online.
Shanghai Shizhong Intelligent Parking Corp said the lockdown has forced it to halt parking services, directly hitting performance. — Reuters