The Weifang Hi-tech Industrial Development Zone is taking measures to enhance government service quality in the hopes of bringing more vitality to the local economy.

The local government is making efforts this year to reduce key project approval time, strengthen communication between government officials and businesses, and encourage government staff members to take more responsibility in their work. The moves have received positive feedback from businesses.

Reduced processing time

Zhang Gang, a department head from Goertek, said he never imagined receiving approval for the company's dormitory building construction within 20 days.

In previous years, companies could wait for half a year to get final project approval because the applications have to be processed by many administrative departments, according to local officials.

"The project's early approval will help a great deal in the development and market occupation of the company," Zhang said.

To accelerate key project approval speed, the zone classifies its approval procedures into five steps - project establishment, land use planning, project planning, construction permission and appraisal tests - and then integrates the submission, notification, approval and charging of fees, to be finished within a designated time period.

Chen Jiancheng, director of the zone's government affairs service center, said 21 project applications have been processed under this new model so far this year. Total investment in those projects reached 2.99 billion yuan ($446.51 million).