REGIONAL> Development
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REGIONAL> Development
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Heilongjiang taking off
By He Na (China Daily)
Updated: 2008-10-01 10:21
 Benefiting from the preferential policies to revitalize aging industries in China's northeast, the economy of Heilongjiang province has grown rapidly in recent years.
Data from the Heilongjiang Statistical Bureau show that by the end of the first half year of 2008, GDP of the province reached $49.9 billion, up 11.8 percent over the same period of last year. The provincial government attaches great importance to education, science and technology, and places strategic importance on technical innovation and the training of professionals. Technological progress and innovation have already become driving forces for further economy development. With one of the three-largest black soil zones in the world, Heilongjiang has one-tenth of China's farmland. With an investment of $57.6 billion, Heilongjiang plans to increase the annual grain yield to 50 billion kg and develop 11 modern agriculture model zones by the end of 2012. As China's gateway to Russia, its trade with Russia has prospered. The Heilongjiang Statistical Bureau show that total imports and exports between Heilongjiang to Russia had reached $10.7 billion in 2007, 22.3 percent of China's trade volume to Russia.
"These are all unique opportunities for Chinese enterprises to expand businesses in Russia," said Sun Yao, vice-governor of Heilongjiang province. As one of China's major manufacturing centers, Heilongjiang also ranks first in the production of petroleum, petrochemicals, power station equipment and aircraft. The province is now implementing the Harbin-Daqing-Qiqihar (Ha-Da-Qi) Industrial Corridor development program that covers more than 900 sq km in Harbin, Daqing and Qiqihar, and requires investment of more than 220 billion yuan. According to Sun, a new coal and electricity zone is forming in the eastern cities of Hegang, Jixi, Shuangyashan, Jiamusi and Mudanjiang. "We will give full support to those enterprises investing in the Ha-Da-Qi and eastern coal and electricity bases by offering incentives in land utilization, taxation and other aspects," said the vice-governor.
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