The time has come for Tianjin's Binhai New Area (BNA) to streamline its industries and projects around the Bohai Bay region to generate more output.
That was the clear message from Ni Xiangyu, vice chairman of the Administrative Committee of Tianjin Economic-Technological Development Area (TEDA), one of core components of the BNA.
Established in 1984, TEDA had industrial output valued at more than 370 billion yuan last year.
"The Binhai New Area has gathered an unprecedented number and scale of industrial clusters, lead by petrochemicals, autos, electronics, steel, aerospace and aviation," Ni told China Business Weekly in an exclusive interview. "It is a rare case, even around the world."
Counting on the BNA's robust growth, TEDA is striving to break the benchmark of 2 trillion yuan in industrial output sometime in the next seven to eight years, which would lead to a gross domestic production (GDP) of 500 billion yuan by that time, Ni said.
He notes his blueprint is indeed ambitious, but solidly grounded.
Now powering ahead with eight pillar industries - electronics and information, autos and parts, equipment manufacturing, biopharmaceuticals, chemicals, food and beverage, aerospace, alternative energy and alternative materials - TEDA had an industrial output valued well over 347 billion yuan in 2008. Together the segments accounted for 93.2 percent of the total industrial output at TEDA last year.
"The eight industrial clusters are our top priorities for future development as they provide the bulk of economic muscle at TEDA, with other industries, such as modern services as supporting forces," Ni said.
A giant man who speaks fluent English and has an infectious smile, Ni is in charge of investment services and external exchanges at TEDA. He has been leading a globe-trotting team seeking to attract more investment and technical know-how to TEDA.
With a clear strategy in mind, Ni and his TEDA team continue to develop plans and contacts for more investment and industrial projects.
In May alone this year, TEDA unveiled six new development plans for five of its eight core segments.
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