Policies in Chengdu high-tech zone keep businesses moving smoothly

Against the backdrop of the pandemic and global economic downturn, the Chengdu Hi-Tech Industrial Development Zone in Sichuan province has launched a series of measures to continuously optimize its business environment, help to financially support enterprises and stimulate the vitality of market players.

"The Chengdu High-Tech Zone has built a good entrepreneurial chain for enterprises and so we chose to start a business here," said Liang Zhijie, chairman of Boaovax Biotechnology.

Liang said the company has moved into the Chengdu Tianfu International Bio-Town where there is a coordinated mechanism of the entire industrial chain.

"The town provides enterprises with a full range of services and guidance, including financial support, equipment leasing and centralized procurement, supply chain services, and project declaration," Liang said, adding that high-end instruments and equipment can be leased through the town in the form of a single charge, greatly saving on initial investment costs for innovative enterprises.

In June, the zone issued the Measures on Promoting the Stable and Healthy Development of Market Entities, which included reducing the operating costs of enterprises, increasing financing for enterprises, stabilizing the job market and attracting talents. There are 10 items in five aspects of service guarantee covering rent reduction and exemption as well as financing subsidies.

Dong Biao, founder and chairman of Sichuan Real and Best Biotech, another enterprise in the Chengdu Tianfu International Bio-Town, said the company has witnessed the tremendous development of the bio-town and benefited significantly from the strong business environment and favorable policies there.

Dong believes that the bio-town has attracted many first-class enterprises to settle down thanks to the local government's commitment to boosting the bio-pharmaceutical industry.

It has a solid talent and industrial base, diverse culture and abundant medical resources. The company has built a research and development base of more than 1,500 square meters in the bio-town with a research team of more than 100 people. Dong said the company has enjoyed various services such as venue leasing discounts, financing and policy consultation, which not only help to relieve its financial pressure and allow it to focus more on new product development, but also help the company grasp industry trends on time.

The supply chain service of the bio-town is also the focus of the company. He said the products will not only target the Chinese market, but expand to countries and regions involved in the Belt and Road Initiative.

The supply chain service center jointly built by the bio-town and China National Pharmaceutical Group makes full use of the logistics advantages deriving from the China-Europe freight train service, the Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport and the Tianfu International Airport, which can help bio-pharmaceutical enterprises transfer their products from the bio-town to overseas markets.

Dong also appreciates the talent policy of the zone. "The zone offers talents favorable policies in areas such as purchasing a house, children's schooling and medical treatment."

Founded in 2015, Chengdu Meenyi Electronic Technology focuses on the development and design of 5G communication chips, including optoelectronic chips and high-performance analog chips.

Ding Xiaolan, director of the personnel department at Chengdu Meenyi Electronic Technology, said the zone has played a large role in improving the company's recruitment process.

Through the special recruitment activities organized by the zone, Chengdu Meenyi Electronic Technology has recruited the talents from Chengdu and first-tier cities such as Shanghai and Shenzhen. "The recruitment platform built by the zone not only helps us recruit suitable talents, but also provides opportunities for enterprises to publicize and build brands," she said.

Statistics show the Chengdu high-tech zone has gathered more than 700,000 talents, with an average of more than 100,000 new foreign employees every year. All kinds of talents have contributed to establishing more than 50,000 technology companies. In the next five years, the zone will strive to gather 500 top talents in science and technology, 1,000 young scientific and technological talents, and the total number of talents will reach 1 million.

Clockwise from top: The Chengdu Hi-Tech Industrial Development Zone in Sichuan province has attracted more than 190,000 companies. A researcher conducts an experiment at the lab of Sichuan Real and Best Biotech in the Chengdu Tianfu International Bio-Town. A staff member checks facilities at a lab of Boaovax Biotechnology in the bio-town. CHINA DAILY