Chongqing's Liangjiang New Area is constructing a new park known as the Sino-German Industrial Park, with the goal of attracting Germany's "hidden champions" to the city.
Germany's small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), the backbone of the German economy, are widely hailed as the "hidden champions" of the global market.
The Sino-German Industrial Park aims to strengthen cooperation between Liangjiang and Germany. Costing a total of 3 billion yuan ($460 million), the park consists of three sections: Longsheng High-end Manufacturing Park, Shuitu Intelligent Manufacturing Park, and Rhine Town.
Li Ning, general manager of Chongqing Liangjiang New Area Industrial Development Group Co Ltd, said that Liangjiang is building five industrial parks focused on foreign companies in Germany, Japan, Korea, Italy and Israel. It is seeking international cooperation on technological research and development, production and operation, service networks, and talent services.
A car factory is located in the industrial park. [Photo by Liu Xian/ chinanews.com] |
Germany's SMEs in the auto industry, equipment manufacturing industry, and robotics industry will be the park's main occupants, and the Liangjiang government will help the enterprises with registration, recruitment, financing, and marketing, according to Xie Jing, vice general manager of the company.
The Longsheng park, a high-end manufacturing cluster that will produce items such as auto parts, electronic information products, and electronic components, is expected to finish construction in 2019.
The Shuitu park will be completed by the end of 2018. It will manufacture products such as robots, core components, intelligent sensors, and intelligent terminals.
A 3D model of the Sino-German Industrial Park in Chongqing. [Photo/liangjiang.gov.cn] |
The Rhine Town will consist of German restaurants, bars and stores. It will focus on things like dining, leisure, culture, entertainment, and lodging, with the goal of becoming a gathering place for Germans in Chongqing.
Liangjiang New Area is the first national-level new area in inland China. Its industrial development zone has already attracted 150 foreign investors, with a total contract value of 116.2 billion yuan. Well-known foreign companies including Hyundai Group, Hitachi, Continental, and Pilatus have all set up branches here.
John Edwards, the UK trade commissioner for China, praised Chongqing over its rise as a burgeoning center in intelligent manufacturing.