Guiyang FTZ moves to optimize its business environment

A Guiyang citizen operates a self-service terminal to apply for his business license in Guiyang Free Trade Zone. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn] 

Guiyang Free Trade Zone (FTZ) in Guiyang city in Southwest China's Guizhou province is working hard to optimize its business environment based on its big data advantages -- promoting the rapid development of companies in the zone -- according to Guiyang FTZ officials.

Lu Xuewen, president of Guizhou Qiyao Technology Development Co, applied for registration of his company in Guiyang FTZ on June 11. His company is mainly engaged in intelligent manufacturing and constructing big data platforms, as well as scientific and technological services.

According to Lu, the entire registration process of the company took only half an hour and was very convenient. The business license, corporate seal and invoice were successfully received the next day.

"The convenient services provided by Guiyang FTZ for enterprises boosted my confidence in starting a business," he said.

Officials said that the streamlining of the zone's business environment has played an important role in keeping the market and employment stable and attracting foreign investment. Since the start of the year, Guiyang FTZ has refined 31 tasks focusing on improving the business environment, covering better market supervision and government services.

In addition, the zone has also introduced and implemented new policies and measures on cross-border trade facilitation with the local development and the local reform commission, as well as the commerce bureau and the customs offices. Guiyang customs, for example, has rolled out more than 20 services to carry out online bookings improved on-site inspections and speeded up customs clearances.

Local statistics showed that in the first half of 2020, the Guiyang FTZ attracted 1.7 billion yuan ($242.6 million) in investment. A total of 26 projects were signed, worth about 2.8 billion yuan.

Officials said total foreign trade in the first half was expected to hit $400 million, a year-on-year increase of 15 percent.

Zhao Yandi contributed to the story.