High-tech zone attracts major projects

Eight major projects with a total investment of 5.2 billion yuan ($755.2 million) started construction in the SingaporeSichuan High-tech Innovation Park in the Chengdu Hi-tech Zone on Nov 29.

The projects are all regional headquarters, and research and development bases, focusing on the fields of network and information security, mobile internet, digital video and bio-medicine.

The project by Shenzhen Chipscreen Biosciences Ltd will be the company’s largest new drug R&D center and regional headquarters in China, according to Zhao Shumei, vicepresident of the company and general manager of Chengdu Chipscreen Pharmaceuticals Ltd.

She said her company has also set up a 40,000-squaremeter manufacturing base in the western park of Chengdu Hi-tech Zone, which will finish construction by the end of this year.

“We chose the city because it has established a full industrial chain in the bio-engineering and pharmaceutical industries, and the local universities offer plenty of experts,” she said.

Zhao said she is impressed by the one-stop service provided by the local government.

Bluedon Information Security Technologies Co Ltd, a leading company in network and information security based in Guangzhou, set up its southwestern headquarters and R&D base in the park, with a total investment of 600 million yuan.

Ke Zonggui, vice-chairman and general manager of the company, said he was surprised by the efficiency of the local government.

“We started contacting the city in the beginning of this year, and several months later we are here witnessing the groundbreaking. The speed is amazing,” he said.

Ke said he also favors the city for its large talent pool and scientific presence.

Some 26 companies have made commitments to set up R&D centers and headquarters in the park, with a total investment of more than 24.7 billion yuan.

Apart from this park, Chengdu has also established cooperative industrial parks with Germany, France, South Korea and Cuba.