The Zhangjiagang Free Trade Zone, the only inland-river bonded area in China, has become a hot spot for overseas investment thanks to the solid development and utilization of local advantages.

The free trade zone enjoys such unique local advantages as being connected to the Yangtze River and East China Sea, excellent harbor conditions, developed transportation networks, a broad economic hinterland and flexible yet favorable policies.

Established with approval from the State Council in October 1992, Zhangjiagang's free trade zone has focused on developing an export-oriented economy and has built sound links between the Chinese and international markets.

By the end of last year, the zone had seen the establishment of 3,225 companies with a total investment of US$2.49 billion. The investors come from such countries and regions as the United States, Japan, France, Britain, Singapore, Australia, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and Taiwan Province.

Well-known world giants, such as Chevron-Phillips Chemicals, Unocal and ADM, Optrex Co Ltd have settled in the zone where industries of electronic machinery, chemicals, textiles and grain and oil are now flourishing.

The Chemicals Transaction Market established last August at the bonded area in Zhangjiagang port is expected to produce 30 billion yuan in business transactions in 2005. The zone saw 4 billion yuan (US$481.92 million) in business transactions within four months of its establishment, and the market has become a guide for the marketing of chemicals in East China.

As an integrated part of the harbor and a new experimental area for accelerating the internationalization of the economy of Jiangsu Province, the zone has set up a "golden bridge" for Chinese enterprises to enter the international market and for international enterprises to enter the Chinese market.

(By Ma Zhiping)

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