Three companies in the Nantong Economic and Technological Development Area (NETDA), East China's Jiangsu province were awarded the title of national manufacturing champion, according to an announcement by the provincial Department of Industry and Information Technology on Oct 24.   

Forty-eight enterprises in the province made the list. 

Nantong Xingchen Synthetic Material Co Ltd, which is focused on the research, development and production of new materials such as Polyphenylene oxiole (PPO), is among the companies on the list.  

NETDA is currently home to 143 innovative small and medium-sized enterprises, 21 provincial "little giant" enterprises and six national little giants, according to official statistics. 

One of the reasons behind the rapid growth is the implementation of a series of measures rolled out by the authorities in the area. These measures include the release of a guideline in 2022 that allows shortlisted enterprises to each receive 3 million yuan ($421,002) in rewards. 

NETDA said it will continue its efforts to provide more stimuli, including financial support, to encourage SMEs to pursue innovation.