The Hefei National High-tech Industry Development Zone achieved a GDP of 117.95 billion yuan ($16.56 billion) in the first three quarters. This marked a year-on-year increase of 7%, which was 1.1 percentage points higher than the average growth rate of the entire city. 

The Hefei National High-tech Industry Development Zone achieved a GDP of 117.95 billion yuan ($16.56 billion) in the first three quarters. [Photo/WeChat account: hefeigaoxinfabu]

Its general public budget revenue reached 5.95 billion yuan, up 14.6% year on year. The zone demonstrated sound economic growth with improvements both in quality and efficiency.

Continuously strengthening innovation capabilities 

Starting with the construction of Grand Union of Innovation, the Hefei high-tech zone has in recent years established a number of national-level major innovation platforms in sectors like quantum computing and deep space exploration, and optimized the operational efficiency of 22 new R&D institutions to promote deep integration of science and technology with industry.

The Hefei National High-tech Industry Development Zone. [Photo/WeChat ID: hefeigaoxinfabu]

In the first three quarters, the zone welcomed 236 new enterprises. The number of specialized tech companies with great growth potentials – known as "little giants" – reached 135, including 38 that gained this status this year. In addition, 3,404 new invention patents were added from January to September, and the number of high-value invention patents exceeded 11,000.

In terms of key industries, the zone has the highest concentration of quantum technology enterprises nationwide. The scale of its aerospace information industry exceeded 7.5 billion yuan in the first three quarters, with a year-on-year increase of 25%.

Rapidly growing industrial clusters

In recent years, the Hefei high-tech zone has paid high attention to developing industrial clusters by advancing its investment promotion models based on science and technology, application scenarios, and industrial chains. 

The Hefei National High-tech Industry Development Zone. [Photo/WeChat ID: hefeigaoxinfabu]

From January to October, 192 key projects with a combined investment of 69 billion yuan were newly inked in the zone. Several major projects exceeding 5 billion yuan have been launched, and 36 new industrial projects have commenced construction, with a total investment exceeding 30 billion yuan.

The zone's total fixed asset investment in the first three quarters increased 14%, ranking first in the city, and its industrial investment grew 33.9%. The total output value of industrial enterprises above designated size reached 184.66 billion yuan, and their added value rose 11.2% year on year to 42.57 billion yuan. Among them, the automobile industry increased 32% year on year, while the electronic information industry went up 43.8%, becoming the core engines driving industrial growth.

A consistently improved local environment

The Hefei high-tech zone has made continuous efforts to improve its environment and build a livable and business-friendly community for local residents and entrepreneurs. From January to September, the total output value of the construction industry reached 48.57 billion yuan, with infrastructure investment increasing 14%, all ranking among the top in the city. Meanwhile, the total retail sales of consumer goods exceeded 30.54 billion yuan with a year-on-year increase of 6.4%.

The Hefei National High-tech Industry Development Zone. [Photo/WeChat ID: hefeigaoxinfabu]

The overall quality of education, healthcare, as well as basic public services have continued to improve, creating an inclusive and comfortable living and working environment for both domestic and foreign residents in the zone.

Looking forward, the zone will deepen international cooperation, strengthen technological innovation, cultivate industries, and improve spatial layout, so as to provide a broader cooperation platform and more development opportunities for global investors and entrepreneurs.