A company representative shows an electronic business license and a paper license in Zhanjiang on Dec 22. [Photo/Zhanjiang Daily]

A number of enterprises in Zhanjiang were issued electronic business licenses in the Zhanjiang Administrative Service Center on the morning of Dec 22. The licenses were the first electronic business licenses issued by the Zhanjiang Industrial and Commercial Bureau, a step into the digital era.

"The electronic business license is as small as an identity card, and easy to carry. I only need to insert it into a card reader, then connect it to a computer to read registration information. I don't need to go around with paper business licenses anymore," said a legal representative of a local enterprise.

Zhanjiang is the first pilot city authorized by the Guangdong Industrial and Commercial Bureau to issue electronic business licenses in West Guangdong.

The electronic business license is a legal digital certificate with registration particulars of the business. It has the same legal effect as a paper license. It is a national electronic identification card with a smart chip. It can be read by certain devices with appropriate programing.

At present, industrial and commercial registration windows in the city are all equipped with electronic business license reading devices. At this initial stage, the license is used for online publicity, online authentication and online annual reports.

Authorities next intend to develop applications for information sharing between government departments and increased services for businesses.

The electronic business license is free of charge. It is now only issued to newly registered enterprises and will be extended to others soon.

Edited by Peter Nordlinger