Stephane GONNETAND, Director of Dalian ODC Marine Manufacture Co., Ltd.: It's Reassuring to Start a Business in Dalian

　　Stephane GONNETAND, a Frenchman, has been living in Dalian for 20 years. Recently, he remarked that "It's reassuring to start a business in Dalian" in the office of Dalian ODC Marine Manufacture Co., Ltd. (ODC Marine for short), which is located in Dalian High-Tech Industrial Zone.

　　Stephane GONNETAND giving a speech at a Boat Show in Dalian several years ago. Photo provided by the interviewee.

　　In October 2004, Stephane first came to Dalian. He found it to be a large city with beautiful coastlines, lovely streets, and stunning natural scenery, and friendly, enthusiastic people. In 2006, he co-founded ODC Marine with his business partner.

　　Dalian has provided a very good business environment, and its highly skilled shipbuilding technicians are also quiet reliable. By exporting passenger ships to Europe, they have helped make "Made in Dalian" a renowned brand overseas.

　　The hybrid boat manufactured by ODC Marine. Photo provided by the interviewee.

　　"Clean energy-powered boats have been the focus of our research and development, as they can reduce environmental pollution and deliver economical benefits," said Stephane GONNETAND. At that time, Dalian was a pilot city for lithium battery buses, so ODC Marine worked to apply lithium batteries to passenger boats in the shortest time possible, creating the world's first hybrid lithium battery passenger boat.

　　Over the past 20 years, ODC Marine has donated a marine garbage cleaning ship to Dalian, introduced French cultural relics exhibitions, facilitated cooperation between the French Grenoble High-Tech Park and Dalian High-Tech Zone, and organized a sailing training program in Dalian hosted by Charente-Maritime.

　　Stephane GONNETAND was awarded the title of Honorary Citizen of Dalian. Photo provided by the interviewee.

　　In 2017, Stephane GONNETAND was granted the title of "Honorary Citizen of Dalian" by the Dalian Municipal Government, which was the highest recognition for his contributions to Dalian's international exchanges over the years.

　　Reflecting on his first entrepreneurial experience, Stephane admitted frankly that he was fortunate to choose Dalian, saying, "A stable workforce and superb aluminum alloy technology guaranteed the success of this venture." He believes that starting a business in Dalian is a wonderful experience.

　　Over these 20 years, he has witnessed the great changes in Dalian and is deeply impressed by the city's determination to create a new frontier for opening up to the outside world.

　　Stephane said that Dalian has a unique geographical location, a pleasant climate, beautiful scenery, and is indeed a livable city. He hopes that Dalian will continue to seize opportunities, unleash more economic vitality, and provide more job opportunities, attracting more enterprises to invest in Dalian, and encouraging more outstanding individuals to develop their career in Dalian.