Authorities keen for more hi-tech firms, R&D centers
The Changchun Economic and Technological Development Zone is revving up to build itself into the biggest production base of corn bio-chemicals and special purpose vehicles (SPVs) and a center of modern service in northeast China's Jilin province, according to a blueprint mapped out by the authorities.
The zone prominently features a corn industry park and a SPV industry park.
The corn park, established in the zone in 2005, is seen as a model for the recycled economy.
A number of food processing companies and bio-chemical makers have invested here, including DaChan Greatwall Group, a top corn-based ethanol producer in the world.
The industrial output value of the corn park is projected to reach 100 billion yuan in 2012.
The SPV park has attracted leading players in automobiles and auto parts.
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Singificant investment has been made to enhance the infrastructure of the Changchun Economic and Technological Development Zone. |
The authorities are stepping up efforts to speed up projects under construction and are also seeking more new investment, in a bid to realize the goal of 100 billion yuan in output value of SPVs and auto parts in 2012.
Services is another pillar industry of the zone.
In addition to relying on local research teams, the authorities are seeking to enhance collaboration with the Chinese Academy of Sciences, to boost the zone's technological strength.
Designated as a national optoelectronic industry base in 2004, Changchun has been making substantial progress in developing the hi-tech sector.
Statistics from the municipal information industry administration show that 80 percent of the current more than 500 kinds of optoelectronics in the market have been developed here.
Since 2000, the city has seen the emergence of 30 new kinds of optoelectronics and information technologies every year.
As a core optoelectronic industry base, the development zone plans to further sharpen the edge of the emerging industry.
Strengthening technological innovation is listed high on the agenda of the zone's authorities. They will devise better policies to encourage local companies to develop, absorb and re-develop new technologies.
Hi-tech companies, research and development centers and testing institutes, especially in the fields of corn bio-chemicals, automobiles and auto parts, are listed among the investment projects that the local authorities are keen on drawing to the zone.
The zone is expected to realize 20 billion yuan in incremental value of the modern service sector in 2012.
(China Daily 03/05/2008 page17)
