Service industries steadily resuming work in Tianjin

Following efforts by the Tianjin authorities to strike a balance between fighting the epidemic and putting in place measures to revive the economy, nearly half of the city’s service industries have restarted operations, working to support the increasing number of companies and workers that are also settling back into work.

To date, service sectors including catering, hospitality, housekeeping, beauty and hairdressing have resumed work in an orderly manner.

Currently in Tianjin, large-sized companies lead the resumption: 93 percent of the top 100 wholesale and retailing companies; 72 percent of the top 50 companies in the hotel and catering industry; 79 percent of the 225 key companies in transportation; and 92 percent of the top 50 companies in other for-profit services have all returned to work.

All window units of banks, insurance, securities and 37 key financial leasing companies have resumed business.

Enterprises involved in the city’s operation, people's livelihoods and anti-epidemic control had already returned to work earlier. Among them, supermarkets, brand convenience stores, and gas stations have all stayed open.

All the Tianjin distribution centers belonging to a total of 17 express companies above designated size have resumed work.

The city has also witnessed a surge in online activity such as remote working, online education, and electronic gaming.

CR Vanguard saw a significant increase in sales in January after developing its online business in the city. Jingdong.com had its retail sales in the city increase in January by 28.6 percent year-on-year.

The city has also rolled out favorable policies ranging from cutting taxes to reducing rent and issuing loans for service enterprises to fight against the virus and support the resumption of work.

In addition, work has resumed in more than 80 percent of the major, city-level projects in Tianjin. According to the Tianjin Housing and Urban-Rural Construction Commission, 86 out of 101 key projects in the construction of property and city infrastructure have resumed work, including subway projects, a water treatment facility and a national convention center.