The Zhuhai National Economic & Technological Development Area (Gaolan Port Economic Zone) climbed 125 rungs to an all-time best 60th place among 217 candidates on the 2021 List of National Economic & Technological Development Zones recently released by the Ministry of Commerce.

The zone stood out in 25 indexes with performances at levels higher than the national average, including regional GDP, total import and export volume, number of hi-tech companies, as well as ratio of public service expenditure in public finance budget expenditure.

Industrial development was given top priority in the zone's overall development. It attracted 40 projects with a single investment of over 100 million yuan ($16 million) in 2021, as well as 10 advanced manufacturing projects with an investment of over 1 billion yuan ($158 million) each, such as projects by the Shenzhen-headquartered Fastprint and Wuxi Lead Intelligent Equipment.

Jinwan's Aviation New Town [Photo by Zhang Zhou / Zhuhai Daily]

The Zhuhai National Economic & Technological Development Area and Jinwan District commenced integrated operation in January 2021. Together they achieved an annual GDP of 81.51 billion yuan ($12.89 billion) last year, with a city-leading growth rate of 7.7 percent. Their added value of industries above designated size increased by 9 percent and the total volume accounted for nearly 40 percent of the city's total. In addition, the fixed-asset investment climbed by 7.7 percent, ranking among the best in the city. 

The zone's biomedicine, new energy, new materials, and high-end printing equipment industries achieved an added value of 22.9 percent, 22.4 percent, 4.2 percent, and 10.1 percent respectively in 2021. 

Its modern service industry also went through rapid development last year, while the added value of tertiary industry exceeded 20 billion yuan ($3 billion) for the first time in 2021. Jinwan hosted a number of convention and exhibition events last year, including the 13th China International Aviation & Aerospace Exhibition. Zhuhai (Jinwan) Airport received over 8 million passengers, while Gaolan Port handled 120 million metric tons of cargo and 1.64 million 20-foot equivalent units (TEUs).

The zone is expected to attract 50 projects with a single investment of over 100 million yuan in 2022, with their total investment projected to exceed 30 billion yuan ($5 billion). Eleven companies in the new energy, new materials, and integrated circuits industries have signed agreements with investment of 6.9 billion yuan ($1.1 billion). Once operational, their production value is estimated to reach 16 billion yuan ($3 billion).

Driving the zone's success last year was its optimized business environment and simplified procedures for starting up businesses, in which it takes as little as less than half a day to establish a company. As a result, the zone saw a 10.7 percent increase in the number of business entities last year, which now exceeds 45,000.

Green channels have been opened to assess the investment of major projects and have shortened the waiting time by two thirds. Three preferential financial policies were also released to help local companies, especially small and medium-sized enterprises.

The number of granted patents issued by the zone in 2021 increased by 11.21 percent and it welcomed 70 high-tech companies, including one listed enterprise. 

Efforts have been made in constructing innovation and entrepreneurship platforms. The zone is now home to two national and 80 provincial engineering technology research and development centers, as well as two national and 38 provincial company technological centers. 

The number of talents attracted to the zone last year increased by 93.4 percent, including one recipient of national honors. 

This year, the Zhuhai National Economic & Technological Development Area aims to attract 80 new hi-tech companies and increase the number of talents included in the 2022 industrial talent pool by over 10 percent. In addition, it aims to cultivate and recognize at least 1,000 professional talents. 

In terms of supporting public service facilities, the first phase of the Hezhou-Gaolan Port Expressway was put into operation in September, reducing the travel time between downtown Zhuhai to the airport by nearly 20 minutes. In addition, Phase II of the Hezhou-Gaolan Port Expressway will finish construction by the end of this year. 

Aviation and Pingsha new towns as well as the Seaside Business District will be planned and constructed with high standards to provide more urban development space in Zhuhai's west wing.