The 2018 Zhanjiang (Shenzhen) Investment Cooperation Presentation was held in Shenzhen on Monday as the coastal city in Guangdong province aims to grow through development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.

The event, which attracted more than 270 enterprises from across the country, saw the signing of agreements for 32 projects in a number of industries including advanced manufacturing, high-tech, financial services, bio-medicine, modern logistics, fine chemistry, coastal tourism and seafood processing. Project investment totaled approximately 89.66 billion yuan ($13.14 billion).

Company representatives sign the agreements under the presence of Zhanjiang Party Chief Zheng Renhao (L3) and Mayor Jiang Jianjun (L4). [Photo privided to chinadaily.com.cn]  

The promotion event aimed to deepen regional exchanges and cooperation, drive the city's economic growth and promote its integration into the Greater Bay Area.

Zhanjiang Party Secretary Zheng Renhao said the city is pushing forward construction of an infrastructure network, expanding the capacity and efficiency of industrial parks, and enhancing development of its rural areas.

It is also striving to enhance productivity of mega industrial projects, transform and upgrade traditional industries, accelerate the development of modern services, nurture high-tech industry and comprehensively develop its maritime industry, he said.

Zhanjiang is at the intersection of the Greater Bay Area, the Guangdong and Hainan free trade zones, and the Beibu Gulf city cluster. It also lies in a strategically pivotal position for promoting maritime cooperation in the Belt and Road Initiative, Zhanjiang Mayor Jiang Jianjun said.

The city is making efforts to improve its business environment and deepen government reform in order to provide safe and pleasant services for businesses, he added. 

Chen Biao, member of the Party Leadership Group of the Shenzhen municipal people's government, said Shenzhen and Zhanjiang have a deep history of and great potential for cooperation.

"This event is an important opportunity and sound platform for further promoting investment cooperation and making use of complementary advantages to drive mutual development between the two cities," Chen said.

He noted that the two sides will deepen cooperation in areas such as the light industry, electronics, the petrochemical industry, agricultural products and tourism.

Attendees are given a rundown of Zhanjiang's business environment. [Photo privided to chinadaily.com.cn]