County businesses set to thrive through technology upgrade

DABU, Guangdong: This ceramics manufacturing center in Dabu, Gaungdong province, has seen no profit shortfall among its burgeoning array of ceramics businesses, several of whom now have an annual sales revenue in excess of five million yuan. Growth in this sector, according to local officials, has been almost totally unimpeded by the economic chaos elsewhere.

Dabu reported rapid growth in industrial output, sales revenues, tax income and exports from its ceramics industry in the January-April period, whilst many other businesses in the country struggled simply to survive, according to Xie Zhiyun, head of the county government.

Citing local government statistics, Xie said the province had realized an industrial output of 398 million yuan from the ceramics sector in the first four months of this year, a surge of 152.23 percent over the same period in 2008. Sales revenues reached 312 million yuan, up 84.38 percent, whilst its tax income of 20.75 million yuan rose by an astonishing 101.59 percent. Further good news came on the export front, which grew to $18.56 million, up 170 percent.