Director: Dalian hi-tech flagship

By Hu Yang (China Daily)
Updated: 2009-09-10 08:40

Director: Dalian hi-tech flagship
Center of the Dalian Hi-tech Zone

Founded more than a decade ago, the Dalian Hi-tech Zone has matured enough to now serve as a flagship for the greater coastal economic zone, according to the vision of Luan Qingwei, director of the zone's administration committee.

Important in the country's efforts to revive the northeastern industrial "rust belt", Dalian has a cluster of first-class universities and modern facilities that make it a desirable home for a hi-tech zone.

With software and service outsourcing as its core industries augmented by electronics firms, the Dalian Hi-tech Zone's number of employees and exports comprise over 80 percent of the city's software and service outsourcing industry.

Its companies have more than 100,000 professionals and over 100 research centers for Fortune 500 companies and domestic institutions.

Luan said the zone will expand its existing advantages and seek more policy support from the government while improving its innovation by cultivating more experts and financing options.

The director said more than $800 million in investment will be made in the zone over the next year along with at least six investment projects from Fortune 500 firms. In addition to software and services outsourcing, industries currently receiving investment include aerospace, railways, nuclear power, the automotive sector and real estate.

Establishing its own software park is another aim. The city's Japanese Software Park is assisting Dalian companies in business with Japan. An Indian Software Park is also planned.

Luan said the hi-tech zone will be at the vanguard of the industry, strengthening its own system and expanding economic development while assisting the regional development.