Global professional firm PwC is eyeing the huge growth opportunities arising from Shanghai's ongoing efforts to boost innovation and productivity, highlighting the city's critical role in the firm's global strategy.

PwC's global chair Mohamed Kande emphasized Shanghai's pivotal role in driving global trends in urban development, expecting that the city will continue to grow steadily over the next decade.

He told the 36th International Business Leaders' Advisory Council (IBLAC) for the Mayor of Shanghai on Sunday that Shanghai's investment in innovation will make it the top destination for "transforming dreams into reality by 2035".

Highlighting the importance of boosting "sustainable innovation", he said that must begin with green energy, which will provide support for the development of artificial intelligence.

Kande hailed China's robust reserves in new energy technologies, positioning the country, and Shanghai in particular, as key drivers of global innovation in sustainability.

Themed "Leading Paradigm Shift, Expanding Open Collaboration, and Deepening the Construction of the Shanghai International Science and Technology Innovation Center in the New Era" this year, the annual meeting is held in Shanghai to gather advice from the executives of top multinational corporations that could help with the city's development. IBLAC was founded in 1989 by then Shanghai mayor Zhu Rongji.

ouyangshijia@chinadaily.com.cn