WND hosts gathering for foreign enterprises ahead of Spring Festival

Wuxi New District held a Spring Festival celebration on Jan 22, bringing together representatives from over 100 local foreign-funded companies and associations.

Representatives of foreign companies in WND play musical instruments during the gathering. [Photo/WeChat account: xinwu_wx]

Highlights of the gathering included vibrant performances by Infineon Semiconductor, the Japanese Business Club, Jabil Circuit, and the Wuxi Japanese Supplementary School, showcasing cultural diversity and corporate enthusiasm.

A major milestone was signing 16 key reinvestment projects by foreign enterprises, with a total investment exceeding 4 billion yuan ($549.37 million). These projects span strategic industries such as integrated circuits, biomedicine, intelligent equipment, and automotive components. Key initiatives include GE Healthcare's ultrasound imaging technology innovation project, Jabil Circuit's automotive components project, and Kubota Engine's new factory and training center. These projects are set to bolster international cooperation and competitiveness.

A participant tries blowing a sugar figurine. [Photo/WeChat account: xinwu_wx]

Moro Shuhei, general manager of Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance China's Jiangsu branch and president of the Japanese Business Club, emphasized the club's 30-year commitment to strengthening China-Japan relations through business seminars and cultural and sports activities. Many of its member companies have established a presence in WND.

An award ceremony for foreign enterprises with outstanding performance is held. [Photo/WeChat account: xinwu_wx]

The event also highlighted the district's impressive economic achievements. In 2024, WND recorded a total import-export volume of 393.8 billion yuan, a 10.5 percent increase and a historic high. It attracted 162 foreign investment projects, with actual foreign capital utilization reaching $1.14 billion, maintaining its leading position in Jiangsu province. The 1,827 foreign-funded enterprises in WND contributed 60 percent of the industrial output of enterprises above the designated size, 78 percent of import-export volume, and 56.3 percent of tax revenue. 

WND has pioneered institutional reforms to enhance openness. In 2024, the district introduced a white list system for importing biomedical R&D materials, leveraged the 240-hour visa-free policy at Shuofang Airport, and expanded international cargo and passenger routes to facilitate business operations and boost efficiency.