Zhanjiang Economic and Technological Development Zone had impressive progress in its economic development in the first half of 2017.

The zone achieved 18.32 billion yuan ($2.74 billion) worth of GDP from January to June, an increase of 18.2 percent year-on-year. Its gross industrial output rose by 56 percent to 32.21 billion yuan, according to official statistics.

Its fiscal revenue grew 10.7 percent to 672 million yuan, while its imports soared 127.2 percent to 2.68 billion yuan and exports, 64.6 percent to 2.56 billion yuan.

Local analysts attributed the rapid economic growth to the endeavors of the zone to accelerate its iron, steel and petrochemical projects as well as related industrial chains.

With its first phase in full operation, the iron and steel project in the zone yielded an industrial output of 16.48 billion yuan in the January-June period, rocketing 255.3 percent year-on-year.

The Sino-Kuwait refinery and petrochemical project, which entails capital input of 43 billion yuan and is expected to bring tax revenue of 23 billion yuan to Zhanjiang, is under construction as scheduled.

Local officials said that the zone will improve the planning of the petrochemical park, step up its development and seek more investments to turn the zone into Zhanjiang's strongest economic engine.

In the meantime, the zone has been expediting the development of public facilities including road networks, water supply, schools and hospitals.