Forty major projects, either by commitment, groundbreaking, or production start, have been initiated at the Gaolan Port Economic Zone. Total new investment exceeds 26.7 billion yuan ($3.8 billion), it was declared at a ceremony on Nov 28.

Eight projects worth 6.7 billion yuan ($965 million) were contracted to develop new materials, electronic and information equipment manufacturing, finance, clean energy, and civil engineering. Among three deals valued at more than 1 billion yuan ($144 million) is a 1.4-billion-yuan ($201.6-million) high-end bio-industry park led by Guangzhou's leading cosmetics company, Houdy.

Phase II of polyester project led by CR Chemical Innovative Materials

In the meantime, Shenzhen Edadoc Technology, a renowned printed circuit board (PCB) technology supplier, invested 1.1 billion yuan ($158.4 million) in high-speed PCB design and R&D. In addition, Zhuhai China Resources Packaging Materials agreed to begin the third phase of its polyester project in Gaolan.

Meanwhile, French SUEZ Water Technologies & Solutions will provide industrial sewage treatment. And, a subsidiary of CNOOC Gas & Power eyed the potential of the headquarters economy while China Export & Credit Insurance Corp was eager to partner with the Gaolan Port Economic Zone.

Construction has commenced on 16 projects with a total investment of 11 billion yuan ($1.6 billion) and combined output value of 30 billion yuan ($4.3 billion). Zhuhai Suntak Electronics, a subsidiary of Shenzhen-based Suntak Technology, committed over 4 billion yuan ($576 million) to two electronic technology parks. Construction of the first 26-hectare (64.2-acre) park began in October and will be completed by the end of 2019.

Gaolan Port container terminal

Furthermore, 16 production lines with investment totaling 9 billion yuan ($1.3-billion) and estimated output of 15 billion yuan ($2.16 billion) became operational. For instance, Zhuhai Cellulose Fibers relocated to Gaolan to begin trial manufacturing in May on 28 hectares (69 acres). The 1.67-billion-yuan ($240.5-million) expansion has doubled its production capacity.

In 2018 alone, 24 new industrial projects, excluding 10 concerning the headquarters economy, were signed, with total investment of 20 billion yuan ($2.88 billion). They are to generate 40 billion yuan ($5.76 billion) in total output value.

Zhuhai Cellulose Fibers [Photos by Zhang Zhou / Zhuhai Daily]