The smart manufacturing workshop of Xiamen Huadian Switchgear in the Xiamen Torch Development Zone for High Technology Industries. [Photo provided to CHINA DAILY]

Engineers at Kehua Data, a company in the zone, test a product. [Photo provided to CHINA DAILY]

Striving to be a demonstration zone for innovation-driven development and high-quality growth, the Xiamen Torch Development Zone for High Technology Industries in Fujian province has launched special actions to support enterprises and optimized its business environment by implementing practical measures for a broader vision.

The zone has attracted numerous leading companies from around the globe, including Norwegian recycling firm Tomra, which has its new headquarters there, and Swiss Geberit, one of Europe's largest manufacturers of bathroom installations, which is constructing a new factory.

Digital empowerment

The Xiamen Torch Development Zone for High Technology Industries solidifies construction of digital government based on the needs of enterprises. This year, it has leveraged the technological advantages of its enterprises to further upgrade services and develop user-friendly application scenarios.

Developed by DataExa, the Smart Approval System for Policy Fulfillment is a typical example of digital services in the zone.

It utilizes an operation mode of "submitting materials for initial review without needing to submit if it fails; submitting materials via mobile phones or computers for self-service application, error correction and additional documents; and completing the matter on the spot". Enterprises can also view the progress of policy approval online, which greatly improves efficiency.

The zone recently launched a smart map that includes modules such as enterprise analysis, visits and contract tracking while establishing a mechanism for interdepartmental data sharing that provides support for understanding the basic data and development trend of the area’s economic operation.

Value-added services

"Thanks to the free smart manufacturing diagnosis of the Xiamen Torch Development Zone for High Technology Industries, we have been able to clarify the direction of intelligent transformation and identify shortcomings," said Li Gen, head of the information systems department of Xiamen Huadian Switchgear, a company committed to the research and development of intelligent power transmission and distribution equipment.

In early October, Xiamen Huadian Switchgear obtained compliance certification of level-three maturity in the national standard of Capability Maturity Model for Intelligent Manufacturing, becoming the second enterprise in the power transmission and distribution industry and the first in Fujian to achieve the status.

The zone has also built the Torch Smart Manufacturing Service Platform, gathering high-quality domestic service providers in smart manufacturing and offering favorable policies. The platform provides upgraded services for enterprises in the zone, from single products to overall solutions, in the form of an "online supermarket".

This year, the zone has held a series of events titled 2023 Smart Manufacturing Service Week, including theme lectures, supply-demand matchmaking meetings, enterprise reception days and themed salons. In the case of Xiamen Huadian Switchgear, under the empowerment of intelligent manufacturing, production efficiency of the company's components surged by 50 percent and the first-time pass rate of products increased by 10 percent.

Besides the Torch Smart Manufacturing Service Platform, the zone focuses on the financing needs of enterprises and has built the Torch Financial Service Platform to introduce a series of preferential policies in factory lending, tax-related lending and credit lending while encouraging financial institutions to innovate products.

Additionally, the platform initiated the Torch Enterprise Innovation Point Loan to alleviate financing difficulties for innovative enterprises, allowing local enterprises to use the Torch Innovation Voucher to offset a portion of the service fees when purchasing intellectual property rights, inspection and testing, and other innovative services.

Promoting cooperation

This year the Xiamen Torch Development Zone for High Technology Industries has held seven industry chain matchmaking events focusing on flat panel displays, integrated circuits, intelligent manufacturing and other sectors, guiding enterprises to boost the coordinated development of the industrial chains. The matchmaking events have attracted more than 150 companies and launched more than 30 intended cooperation projects.

In August, the zone hosted the Flat Panel Display Industry Matching Conference, bringing together AUO and potential partners to discuss development and seek cooperation.

Zhu Zhiyuan, head of the artificial intelligence division of Zhuhe (Xiamen) Industrial Development Group, a high-tech enterprise integrating R&D, manufacturing and services, said the company has deep cooperation with multiple new energy vehicle companies, while AUO has increased its layout in the field of in-vehicle displays and hopes to strengthen communication and cooperation through this opportunity.

Concurrently, the Xiamen Torch Development Zone for High Technology Industries has held Enterprise Receiving Day multiple times, allowing participating businesses to freely express their opinions and coordinate on-site to solve problems encountered in their development process.

This year, the zone has held more than 60 events such as financial docking, industry docking, policy promotion and service docking, and conducted more than 570 on-site investigations and visits to enterprises.

Officials said the zone will continue to focus on policy implementation and services while "burnishing the name card" of the business environment and enhancing corporate confidence and vitality.