Eleven goals for 2023, including a 6-percent increase in GDP and an 8.5-percent growth in added value of industries above designated scale, have been set in Zhuhai's 2023 Plan for National Economic and Social Development released on March 7.

Moreover, the city's total investment in fixed assets will increase by 8 percent year-on-year in 2023, and the total retail sale of consumer goods will be up by 6 percent. The city plans to achieve a positive growth in both its overall import and export volume and its actual foreign direct investment. 

The growth rate of Zhuhai's general public budget revenue will exceed 5.5 percent and its CPI inflation will be controlled at around 3 percent. The city's per capital disposal income will grow in step with its economic growth, while the urban registered unemployment rate will be controlled at under 3 percent. 

Dynamic Guangdong-Macao In-depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin [Photo by Zeng Yao / WeChat account: zhuhaifabu]

It was put forward in the document that Zhuhai will fully support the construction of the Guangdong-Macao In-depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin. Detailed policies for "first-tier" and "second-tier" customs surveillance will be implemented, and Phase II construction of Hengqin Checkpoint will be moved forward. 

Industrial cooperation between high-end manufacturing, culture, and tourism industries will be encouraged. In addition, conventions and exhibitions, modern finance, and TCM industries will be promoted. It is also planned that Hengqin will see its living environment transform to something similar to that in Macao.

Priority will still be given to the manufacturing industry and more efforts will be made to attract invstment and projects. Zhuhai will boost high-level sci-tech innovation and accelerate the development of its modern service industry. 

No less than 35 small and medium-sized enterprises will be upgraded into ones above designated scale and the annual industrial investment in 2023 will exceed 100 billion yuan ($14 billion). It is also noted that number of new high-end enterprises in the city will reach over 600.

The scale of effective investment in the city will be expanded while the development of its foreign trade will also be enhanced. 

Zhuhai enterprises will be encouraged to invest more in R&D and brand cultivation to formulate a batch of national consumer brands. Major platforms such as the downtown areas in the city's west wing and Zhuhai (Hezhou) Hub Station will also accelerate construction.

Local popular tourist attractions, such as the Lovers Avenue, Zhuhai Aerospace Land, and Zhuhai Chimelong International Ocean Resort, will be upgraded in order to attain more internet influence. 

From the plan, enterprises can now anticipate that the local business environment will be further optimized, as the procedures for projects' examination and approval will be simplified, and new business environment reforms will soon be released.

Moreover, a comprehensive transportation network will be built and the city will continuously promote the integrated development of its rural and urban areas. The Guangzhou-Zhuhai (Macao) High-speed Railway will begin construction this year, work on Zhuhai-Zhaoqing High-speed Railway will be sped up, and the Airport Urban Rail Transit Phase II project is expected to pass operation acceptance as well. Construction of other projects, including Phase II of the Hezhou-Gaolan Port Expressway, Jinhai Avenue Bridge, and the north section of Xingye Express, will be sped up.

Ten city service stations and 10 parks will be built this year, along with the improved construction level of six modern agricultural parks in Zhuhai, such as the Baijiao sea bass park.

Over 20,000 talent housing units will be prepared in 2023, while 48 schools will also be constructed or renovated to offer public education for an additional 32,000 students.