The 2018 Guangzhou Annual Investment Conference opened at Guangzhou Baiyun International Convention Center on the morning of March 28. Concurrently, Zengcheng district hosted a parallel session themed "New Hub and New Power: Investment Promotion Conference of Zengcheng district, Guangzhou".

The session introduced the increasingly attractive investment environment that Zengcheng district provides, highlighting five key development platforms such as the Zengcheng National Economic and Technical Development Zone and "Qiaomengyuan", a national-level overseas-Chinese-invested industrial cluster area.

Chen Yong, director of Zengcheng district, made the welcoming speech at the session. He underlined Zengcheng's excellent geographic location, vibrant innovation platforms, advanced manufacturing bases, and rapid economic growth over the past year.

Chen also suggested that Zengcheng should adapt itself to the construction of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay area and Guangzhou-Shenzhen Science and Technology Innovation Corridor, fully support high-tech industry development and talent introduction, speed up the construction of major transportation projects, and consistently improve its business environment.  

Doctor Zhu Xianwen, chairman of Guangzhou HuaTai 3D Material Manufacturing Company, and Doctor Fang Fang, general manager of Gold Medal Analytical & Testing Group made speeches about their investment experiences in the district.

Chen yong, director of Zengcheng district, makes the welcoming speech at the Investment Promotion Conference held on March 28. [Photo provided to China Daily]

Zhu recalled the strong support he received from the government in terms of site selection, corporate registration, and angel capitalist investment. He was also impressed by Zengcheng's late-mover advantage and showed great confidence in Zengcheng's economic potential.

Fang summarized the benefits of starting a business in Zengcheng in five areas, namely public policy, government services, operation costs, reserve of talents, natural environment, and living costs. After a comprehensive evaluation, he expressed his belief that Zengcheng is the best choice in destination for entrepreneurs.

The signing ceremonies for nine investment projects were also held on site. These projects involve smart production, auto parts, education, energy, scientific research, and other areas, with total investment expected to reach 14 billion yuan ($2.23 billion).

The beneficial characteristics of Zengcheng district as an investment destination can be summarized as followed.

Excellent location

Zengcheng district is located at the heart of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay area and serves as a juncture for the Guangzhou-Shenzhen Science and Technology Innovation Corridor. With six highways passing through the district, five national railway lines, four intercity railway lines, and five metro lines, it boasts superior traffic conditions. It takes just 15 minutes to travel from Zengcheng to Huangpu or Xinsha Port, 30 minutes to Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport or Shenzhen Bao'an International Airport and one hour to any major city in the Pearl River Delta. In addition, a number of major traffic projects are expected to be completed soon, boosting Zengcheng's transport network even further.

Doctor Zhu Xianwen, chairman of Guangzhou HuaTai 3D Material Manufacturing Company, speaks highly of the investment environment in Zengcheng district at the Investment Promotion Conference held on March 28. [Photo provided to China Daily]

Solid industrial foundation

Zengcheng has a complete auto industrial chain, comprised of Guangzhou Honda and BAIC auto factories, Guangzhou Honda and CATARC research centers, and some 150 auto parts manufactures.

The construction of the Foxconn 10.5-generation display device industrial park is now underway in Zengcheng district, and the world-leading IT project is expected to spin off a hundred-billion-yuan industrial cluster once completed in 2019.

Zengcheng also hosts a series of national strategic industrial projects such as the Zhujiang International Smart Technology Industrial Park.

Business-friendly environment

Zengcheng district enjoys favorable business policies as a national-level economic zone as well as the late-mover advantage represented in flexible and efficient administrative approval mechanisms. The government provides highly efficient complete-chain services to all of the enterprises in the district.

To provide better financing conditions for entrepreneurs, the district hosts the Guangzhou Small and Medium-Sized Enterprise Financial Service Area and has established the Nanyue Fund.

The signing ceremonies for nine investment projects are held during the Investment Promotion Conference on March 28. [Photo provided to China Daily]

Large reserve of talents

There are 13 universities and vocational schools within Zengcheng district, and some 60 universities and research institutions within a 30-minute radius. Zengcheng aims to build a world-class science & education town, integrating scientific technology, education, and industry resources to better serve enterprises.

Pleasant environment

With a forest coverage rate of 52.52 percent, Zengcheng district is referred to as the "Emerald Oasis" in the Pearl River Delta. It has as many as 23 forest parks and ecological protection areas and the total length of green belts reaches 533 kilometers. Zengcheng district enjoys good air quality all year long.

Zengcheng has outstanding urban service facilities. It has high-end malls such as Wanda Plaza and Easco City, garden-style residential communities such as Country Garden and Evergrande Scenic Garden, a large number of hospitals and nurseries as well as first-rate secondary schools. All of these factors combined have created an ideal environment for enterprises and persons to settle down in.