The Ministry of Commerce officially upgraded the Huangshi Economic &Technology Development Zone, to a national development zone over the weekend. That makes it an industrial base for economic transformation in Wuhan province.

The upgrade comes along with 80 new projects, with a total investment value of 30 billion yuan. The new projects are concentrated in new materials, electronics information, biomedicine, and other high-end sectors. The area is the second national level development zone in central China's Hubei province, an important base for heavy industry in the country.

Hu Chao, Director of Huangshi Economic &Tech Dev't Zone said "After being upgraded to national level, the Huangshi Economic and Technology Development Zone should play a key role in leading the regional economy. Especially in transforming its economic development pattern to achieve sustainable and scientific development."