Companies in the high-tech zone able to spread wings on back of special treatment

Weifang Hi-Tech Industrial Development Zone in East China's Shandong province is taking measures to enhance government service quality and efficiency to create a better business environment.

In early 2019, the zone established Zhuan Ban, which means "special service team" in Mandarin Chinese, aimed at speeding up construction on new business projects.

Under this model, support teams comprised of government officials are assigned to oversee key projects in the zone and ensure that difficulties in the construction process can be solved in an efficient manner.

According to local officials, weekly meetings are organized for key projects so that companies can address problems directly with officials, with all related government departments required to provide feedback in limited time.

The new model has proved a useful tool in supporting companies' development this year.

Weichai, one of the leading heavy truck and component manufacturers in China, celebrated the groundbreaking of the Weichai International Engine Component Industrial Park in the zone on July 13.

After only five months, Weichai opened its No 1 plant at the new park, completing the project far ahead of schedule. The company credited the special service team's professional support for keeping everything on a fast track.

The 2,000-hectare industrial park, involving more than 200 billion yuan ($28.54 billion) in investment, is projected to involve more than 500 auto component suppliers engaged in sectors such as hydrogen fuel cells, electronics and smart products.

The annual industrial output value of the industrial park will be around 500 billion yuan upon completion, according to Weichai officials. Weichai revealed that 35 leading companies have already signed up to build branches in the industrial park since July. Their total investment will exceed 8 billion yuan.

Shandong Tianrui Heavy Industry is another company reaping benefits from the zone's innovative service model.

Tianrui's new maglev blowers production plant celebrated the installation of key new equipment last month. Chen Ru, deputy general manager of Tianrui, was pleased that the factory, with a total investment of 300 million yuan, was built with the help of the zone's authorities. It means Tianrui needs only to pay for rental costs.

Thanks to the reduced costs, Tianrui will have more funds to invest into research and development, Chen said.

Tianrui is one of the top drilling machine makers in China. The company introduced its innovative maglev blowers, which use synchronized magnet motors to compress air for industrial production, to the market in 2018.

According to Tianrui, the blowers can be used in fields such as industrial wastewater treatment, aquaculture and gas transmission. The product has a lesser impact on the environment, a lower requirement for maintenance and a longer life cycle.

"We received 20 orders in 2018. The number increased to 300 in 2019 with contracts valued at nearly 200 million yuan," Chen said. "Our old plant was not big enough to serve the booming demand."

After being informed about Tianrui's constraint, the zone decided to build a factory for Tianrui and established a Zhuan Ban to support the construction of the new project.

Officials from the zone's investment attraction bureau revealed that the zone established more than 10 Zhuan Ban to solve problems for companies this year. Every project has a WeChat group or QQ group with government officials overseeing all relevant matters.

"Companies can raise their difficulties and problems in the group and relevant departments will follow up and give solutions," said an official in the investment attraction bureau.

Attracted by the premium government services, the zone is becoming popular among potential investors seeking to expanding their operations in China.

Official statistics show that 59 projects, each valued at over 100 million yuan, have been agreed to settle in the zone. The contracted value is around 52 billion yuan as of Nov 15.

A technician works at the production line at a Weichai's plant. CHINA DAILY

A night view of Weifang Hi-Tech Industrial Development Zone, Shandong province. CHINA DAILY