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Development area breathes new life into region

By Wang Yu (China Daily)
Updated: 2008-09-28 10:49

Part of the completed Tianjin Economic - Technological Development Area Jiao Yongpu

In 24 years, the Tianjin Economic - Technological Development Area (TEDA) has gone from barren lands to modern business zone.

Its many factories, parks and greenbelts have made it an important window for Tianjin's reform and opening-up and a major driver of local economic development.

TEDA was established in December 1984 as part of the nation's opening-up policy, with a total planned area of 33 sq km.

Since 2003, TEDA has extended westward with a planned area of 48 sqkm. It has three additional satellite development areas in the neighborhood - the Micro-Electronics Industrial Area, Yixian Scientific and Industrial Zone and a chemical industrial area.

Local authorities have tried to create a friendly investment environment, introduced new management philosophies and optimized infrastructure.

TEDA is host to 4,450 foreign-funded companies, with a total investment of $44.3 billion.

Of them, 139 businesses are backed by 64 Fortune 500 companies.

TEDA's foreign investors focus on the four leading industries of electronic communications, auto and machinery manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, and food and beverage.

Emerging industries are also represented at TEDA, including energy conservation, environmental protection and aerospace.

The presence of modern service sectors including finance, logistics, exhibitions, consultation and service contracting is also growing.

TEDA plays a leading role in spurring the growth of the regional economy. Its booming modern manufacturing industries have stimulated development in the surrounding area.

With Motorola and Samsung establishing facilities at TEDA, more than 200 companies in the surrounding area are providing components and support services. These suppliers generate a total of 20 billion yuan in annual revenue.

Recent adjustments to its industrial structure have seen TEDA create a specialized environment suitable for the modern service industry and industrial research development.

TEDA has also made progress on strengthening its technological innovation capacity.

By the end of 2007, the area had 27 engineering technology research institutes, 35 corporate technical centers, 45 multinational R&D centers and seven venture capital firms.

Hi-tech products contributed 59 percent to TEDA's total industrial output last year.

The Pharmaceutical Valley was established in the first half of the year, the first model IPR industrialization base in the country.

TEDA has been the top investment environment of all national development areas for 10 consecutive years, according to the Ministry of Commerce. The area is also at the forefront of efficiency in energy use.