12 Feb 2010 – 3 TEDA Organizations Named National Base for Popular Science Education

(Source: original) Recently in the list published by China Association for Science and Technology, three TEDA organizations was given the name National Base for Popular Science Education, which are Tianjin 3D Imaging Technology Museum, Research Center of Zhongxin Pharmaceuticals and Tianjin TEDA Environmental Protection Limited.

The whole list includes 406 new organizations chosen from over 600 candidates nationwide. It is informed that 17 of the 406 new bases are from Tianjin and 7 from TBNA (incl. TEDA).

10 Feb 2010 – TEDA Brand among World's Top 500 Famous Brands

(Source: original) 88 Chinese brands are among 2009 world's top 500 famous brands selected by World Organization of Brands, US-China Economic Trade & Investment General Chamber of Commerce and World Union of VIP Enterprises, acccording to the list revealed on 9th Feb in Tokyo.

Chinese well-known brands such as Sinopec, PetroChina, Shenhua Group, China Mobil, Haier Group, Cheung Kong Holdings are among the list, from which we also see several brand names from Tianjin, such as Tianjin Zhonghuan Electronic Information Group, Tianjin Materials and Equipment Group and Tianjin Automobile Industrial Group.

It's noteworthy that Tianjin Zhonghuan Electronic Information Group is a famous Tianjin brand that is headquartered in TEDA MIP (Microelectronic Industrial Park) and has over a hundred subsidiary companies with a total number of over 50 thousand employees and more than RMB 90 billion of main business revenue.

02 Feb 2010 – TEDA Bus Station Opens Express Line to Capital Airport

(Source: original) For the convenience of passengers who wish to shorter the travelling time to Beijing Captial International Airport (BCIA), the new TEDA Bus Station has launched an express line direct to BCIA with single-trip time of around 3 hours.

There are 20 bus services on this route every day, all buses running through expressway. The time table is as follows.

Departure Time (from TEDA): 06:30, 08:00, 09:00, 10:30, 12:30, 14:30, 16:00, 17:00, 18:30, 19:30.

Departure Time (from BCIA): 10:00, 11:30, 12:30, 14:00, 15:00, 16:00, 18:00, 19:30, 20:30, 22:00.

26 Jan 2010 – Structure Roof Sealed in Section C, Significant Progress in the Constuction of TEDA MSD

(Source: en.investteda.org) A grand ceremony was held for the structure roof sealing of Section C of TEDA's MSD (Modern Service District) at the site today.

During the ceremony, Tianjin TEDA Development Co., Ltd., the service provider of the MSD, signed agreements with Tianjin Branch of Agricultural Bank of China and Tianjin Bureau of Quality and Technical Supervision an agreement respectively for their settlement in the MSD.

It is learnt that the MSD is located on both the north and the south sides of 2nd Avenue of TEDA. With 100-meter green belt as horizontal axis and the Financial Block, the Investment Service Center and the Citizen Plaza as vertical axis, the MSD occupies a land of one sqkm. As the very center of TEDA for office buildings and commercial services, the MSD aims at providing an international platform to high-end service providers such as global financial institutions and headquarters. Section C which has its structure roof sealed first is situated in the interaction of 1st Avenue and Xincheng East Road. The commercial complex contains three office buildings and some supportive businesses and covers a total construction area of 160,000 sqm. With a total height of 129 m, the Section has 31 floors aboveground and two underground.

According to its plan, TEDA MSD contains a central area and an extension area. The A-grade office buildings and supportive businesses in the central area will not be sold but rented only, and their property rights will be kept in the long term. Tailored construction and sale is available in some A-grade office buildings and supportive businesses in the extension area. With a total investment of 18 billion yuan and an expected output value of 100 billion yuan, the MSD may accommodate 80,000 people and will become a landmark area of high-end commercial buildings at TEDA.

22 Jan 2010 – TEDA Launches New Bus Station

(Source: en.investteda.org) Yesterday, TEDA held a launching ceremony for its new bus station. Mr. Wu Dai, Chairman and General Manager of Tianjin Transportation Group, and Mr. Zhang Jun, Vice Chairman of TEDA witnessed the exciting moment.

The new bus station was built on the site of TEDA's old railway station. According to the cooperative framework agreement between TEDA Transportation Office, Tianjin Railway Economic and Technological Development Corporation, and Tianjin Transportation Group Binhai Co., Ltd., the original railway function was perfectly preserved and a new bus station (grade-III) was built on the site of the old front square (12,500 square meters) and the old waiting room by the Tanggu Binhai Transportation Group. The reconstruction not only added bus travel services to the existing TEDA Railway Station but also made it a multi-transport terminal which can seamlessly link to surrounding tramway and other public transport lines.

Now the new station will, first, effectively minimize security risks and upgrade transportation services. The old building, which only covers a floor area of 2,000 square meters, is far from enough considering nearly 100 intercity buses now operating throughout TEDA. The new station will be complementary to the Tanggu Passenger Transport Terminal so that vehicles and travelers can flow orderly and more efficiently. Secondly, it will help more migrant workers travel home during holidays and festivals more easily. The old temporary bus station lacks inter-province lines. In the past, 700,000 passengers (person times) relied only on the Tanggu Passenger Transport Terminal to reach TEDA, which accounted for 40% of the traffic of Tanggu Terminal during peak seasons. The new station will help save traveling cost for migrant workers and optimize local investment environment. Last but not least, the reconstruction eased traffic jam and impact on surrounding residents, which is a long-standing headache for the old bus station. The new station is built in a non-resident area. Designed as a transport hub, it borders the Beijing-Tianjin-Tanggu Expressway in the north and the Jinbin Expressway in the south, with easy access to the tramway and eight local public transport lines. Its inter-province lines can reach Shangdong, Hebei, Henan and Liaoning Province.

21 Jan 2010 – Eight Renowned Equity Funds Settles Down

(Source: en.investteda.org) Having signed agreements with Tianjin Equity Investment Fund Center, eight renowned equity funds officially settled down in TEDA yesterday.

As a platform authorized by the Tianjin Municipal Government to facilitate the establishment of equity funds home and abroad, the Tianjin Center is the first of its kind in China. By last September, Tianjin is home to 221 registered funds and fund management firms. Among them, 212 were registered in the TBNA (and among these, 148 were registered in TEDA). Since last September, TEDA welcomed another 31 new funds and fund management firms. Such dynamic growth has injected capital flow to local economy. The eight firms who lately joined TEDA are: China Construction Bank International Wealth Management Co., Ltd., New Horizon Development (Tianjin) Equity Investment Management Co., Ltd., RS Investment & Management Co., Ltd., CITIC Capital (Tianjin) Investment Management Partners Ltd., Prax Capital, Tianjin Vagoo Haida Venture Investment Company, Tianjin Kellogg Equity Investment Fund Management Co., Ltd., and Global Capital Investment Group Limited.

21 Dec 2009 – Mr.He Lifeng Present at The Ground-Breaking Ceremony of The Newly Launched Living Estate of TEDA West Zone

(Source: en.investteda.org) Recently the living estate of TEDA West Zone, an important project in developing the western Tianjin Binhai New Area, has started construction. With one part in the west and one in the east, the project will develop a regional enterprise-oriented housing center and living service center with complete functions so as to facilitate the industrial development in the western Tianjin Binhai New Area and serve West Zone and its neighboring regions.

Located in the west of TEDA West Zone, with Yangbei Highway in the north, Jinbin Expressway in the south, Dongjin Road in the west, and the planned Dongxu Road in the east, the living estate covers 7.6 sq km. According to its plan, the project contains the eastern and western parts. The western part, in line with the overall plan of Tianjin, will be built into an eco-friendly green belt adjacent to rivers and lakes. The eastern part is divided by existing expressways and planned trunk roads into the northern, central and southern areas. The northern area of nearly 1.24 sq km will accommodate office buildings and R&D facilities. The central area of about 1.12 sq km will contain administrative buildings, commercial facilities, and enterprise-oriented housing. The southern area of almost 1.54 sq km will absorb commercial residential buildings and enterprise-oriented housing.

According to the plan, the central area will first start construction, and the living estate is expected to take shape in mid- or late 2011. So far, all preparations are ready for construction. Key projects such as land filling, truck road construction, etc. will be launched in the middle of the month. Meanwhile, the new Investment Service Center of West Zone will commence construction in mid-2010.

09 Dec 2009 – Chow Tai Fook Binhai Center Holds a Ground-breaking Ceremony in TEDA

(Source: www.bh.gov.cn) Recently Chow Tai Fook Binhai Center held a ground-breaking ceremony in TEDA.

It is learnt that founded by Chow Tai Fook of Hong Kong, the Center lies in the intersection of First Avenue and West Xincheng Road and adjacent to TEDA Citizen Plaza. After its completion, the 530-meter-high building will be the highest skyscraper in TEDA & the TBNA, which has 100 floors (four underground and 96 above ground), a construction area of nearly 350,000 sqm, and an expected investment of eight billion yuan. Meanwhile, its podium building, which is a four-floor premium shopping center of nearly 300,000 sqm connected to the skyscraper, is expected to be completed by 2014.

08 Dec 2009 – Cresyn Electronics (Tianjin) CO., LTD. Adds Investment for Production Expansion

(Source: en.investteda.org) An important enterprise in TEDA's mobile phone industrial chain, Cresyn Electronics (Tianjin) Co., Ltd. specializes in the production of mobile phone cameras and earphones and supplies accessories to Samsung. The company was established by Cresyn Inc. of South Korea in Oct. 2003, with a total investment of 16.28 million dollars and registered capital of eight million dollars.

To expand production, the company has recently applied for investment increase. As a result, its total investment will rise to 38.78 million dollars and registered capital 17 million dollars, its annual production capacity up from 65 million to 100 million sets.

06 Dec 2009 – TEDA Remaining the Best State-level Development Zone for 12 Years in a Row

(Source: en.investteda.org) It is learnt from TEDA Administrative Commission on Nov. 26 that according to the latest appraisal conducted by the Ministry of Commerce among 54 state-level development zones in China, TEDA maintained its first position with a total score of 722.92 and won its 12th championship since the start of the appraisal in 1999. TEDA has become a state-level development zone with the largest economic scale, the highest level of openness, and the most optimized comprehensive investment environment.

It is learnt that in the appraisal of comprehensive investment environment among state-level economic and technological development zones, the index system consists of eight indicators, including overall economic strength, infrastructure supportive capacity, operational cost, HR and supply , society and environment, technical innovation environment, administrative system building, development and efficiency. In the appraisal, TEDA and another development area have each of their seven indicators in top ten, the most among their peers. And TEDA ranked first in such four indicators as overall economic strength, administrative system building, HR and supply, and technical innovation environment.

TEDA is propelling construction for her carriers of economic development in an all-round way. Its East Zone enhanced its functions with the smooth progress in such projects as Modern Service District, Service Outsourcing Industrial Park, TEDA Promenades, etc. Its West Zone accelerated construction with full-scale infrastructure development. According to Tianjin's strategy of "Twin City Centers and Twin Ports", at the end of Feb. 2009, TEDA officially took on the task of constructing the Nangang Industrial Zone, starting a new entrepreneuring course in its history. So far construction has started in four projects, agreements signed in four projects, and another 13 projects under negotiation. Their total investment will exceed 155.2 billion yuan, and total output value is expected to reach 239 billion yuan after the completion of the projects.

27 Nov 2009 – Chow Tai Fook Binhai Center Holds a Ground-breaking Ceremony in TEDA

(Source: en.investteda.org) Recently Chow Tai Fook Binhai Center held a ground-breaking ceremony in TEDA. It is learnt that founded by Chow Tai Fook of Hong Kong, the Center lies in the intersection of First Avenue and Xinchengxi Road and adjacent to TEDA Citizen Plaza. After its completion, the 530-meter-high building will be the highest skyscraper in the TBNA, which has 100 floors (four underground and 96 above ground), a construction area of nearly 350,000 m2, and an expected investment of eight billion yuan. Meanwhile, its podium building, which is a four-floor premium shopping center of nearly 300,000 m2 connected to the skyscraper, is expected to be completed by 2014.

20 Nov 2009 – TII Launches Free Wi-Fi Service in Tianda Science Park

(Source: original) In order to improve the network office environment in Tianda Science Park, TII, in cooperation with China Unicom, has built up a public Wi-Fi broadband network (10M bit/sec bandwidth) that is free to use (no passwords required for access) within main office buildings, namely Blocks A1 & A2 and the Software Building. Visitors to and staff of these buildings now can get the best experience out of utilizing free wireless broadband access to check news and emails or download files at will. It also helps to lower the enterprises' cost while providing convenient service to them. It is informed that this service has already been put to trial use on 18 November and that the system will be improved progressively so that the network should always remain stable when in use.

16 Nov 2009 – Plans of The Nangang Industrial Zone Approved by Tianjin Municipal Government

(Source: en.investteda.org) Recently Tianjin Municipal Government has made a written reply on the approval of the zoning plan, overall development plan and related special plans of the Tianjin Nangang Industrial Zone.

According to the approval, the above-mentioned plans will implement the strategy of "twin city centers and twin ports". It will be of great significance to the restructuring of Tianjin's heavy chemical industry, expansion of the Tianjin Port, giving better play to the advantage of the Eurasian Continental Bridge, and speeding up the construction of the international shipping center and logistic center in North China.

It is emphasized in the approval that in line with the principle of intensive and economical use of resources and sustainable growth, the Zone will vigorously develop circular economy, give priority to the petrochemical industry, metallurgical equipment manufacturing industry, port logistics industry, and related supportive service industry so as to gradually build up a world-level comprehensive functional zone featured by heavy chemical industry and port services.

It is clarified in the approval that with the minus 4 meter isobath in the east, Jinqi Highway in the west, the right realigning and leading line for Qingjinghuang River, and the left realigning and leading line for Duliujianhe River in the north., the Park covers a land of nearly 200 km2, which includes 38 km2 of land, 124 km2 of reclaimed land, and 38 km2 of port basins and channels.

Meanwhile, in the approval specific requirements have also be raised on industrial development, project construction, infrastructure, public utilities, environmental protection, work safety, etc. in the Zone.

The approval of the zoning plan and other plans will facilitate the development of the Zone and open an important new stage in the construction of the Zone.

27 Oct 2009 – The Largest Integrated Wind Energy Equipment Production Base of Vestas Built up in TEDA

(Source: en.investteda.org) Recently the largest integrated wind energy equipment production base of Vestas has been built up and unveiled in TEDA.

It is learnt that since its first blade factory set up in TEDA in 2006, Vestas has kept on expanding production facilities. Recently after completing the construction of its control system and machining plants and the expansion of its generator and blade plants, the production base has become the largest integrated wind energy equipment production base of Vestas in the world, with its products involving nacelles, blades, generators, control systems, and mechanical components. Meanwhile, the brand new tower component supply center has also been put to use. The production base will not only enhance the production capacity of Vestas in China but speed up the localization of its production and introduce the advanced wind energy equipment manufacturing technology to China so as to provide hi-tech and hi-quality wind turbines for Chinese and global markets.

So far the integrated wind energy equipment production base in Tianjin has been built into the most important production center of Vestas in the world and will help TEDA become an important technology and production base of wind energy and clean energy in China and even the world.

Vestas has investment over 1.8 billion yuan (nearly 220 million dollars), a part of its long-term investment, in the construction of its new plants and the expansion of original ones. So far Vestas has invested over 2.5 billion yuan (nearly 380 million dollars) in TEDA, which accounts for over 70 % of its total investment in China. By the end of 2009, the total investment of Vestas in China will exceed three billion yuan.

27 Oct 2009 – Tianjin Tingjin Food Co., Ltd. Plans to Add Investment and Expand Production

(Source: en.investteda.org) It is learnt that recently Ting Hsin Group, the largest food company in TEDA, will add an investment of 85.5 million dollars in its beverage production plant, Tianjin Tingjin Food Co., Ltd. As a result, the total investment of Tiangjin Food will grow from 97 million dollars to 182 million dollars. The new investment will be mainly used in expanding production and introducing five new production lines. After the completion of the expansion project, Ting Hsin Group will increase its beverage production capacity by a large margin.

With its beverages in short supply, in recent years Ting Hsin Group has seen continuous growth in the sales of its beverages. Since 2007 Ting Hsin Group has added many investments to its beverage production plants in TEDA, Master Kong (Tianjin) Beverage Co., Ltd. and Tianjin Tinghjin Food Co., Ltd..

16 Oct 2009 – Chinasoft International Excellence Training Center Officially Came to TEDA

(Source: en.investteda.org) In view of the rapid development of the service outsourcing industry, to promote the employment of graduates, and cultivate qualified HR for software and service outsourcing enterprises, ChinaSoft International Excellence Training Center settled in TEDA in Sep. of 2009.

ChinaSoft International Excellence Training Center (Tianjin) is the seventh base set up by ChinaSoft International in China for the HR probation and training of software and service outsourcing. Covering an area of 3,400 sqm, the first phase can accommodate 600 trainees. With the most advanced environment for practice and training, the Center will mainly provide opportunities of practical training to students of computer software engineering. Meanwhile, it will offer corporate engineers trainings on technique, BPO, IT services (ISO20000/ISO27001), etc.

ChinaSoft International Excellence Training Center is not only a training organization based on leading Chinese software and service outsourcing enterprises but also a "probation and training base for graduates of software engineering" certified by the Ministry of Education. Through wide cooperation between universities/colleges and enterprises, the Center has helped students enhance competitiveness in employment and find jobs, becoming an important channel of universities and colleges to supply talents to software enterprises. The Center has 29 years of experience in IT trainings. The first IT training organization in China, the Center has trained over 500,000 IT professionals so far and received 20,000 person-times of trainees each year. The practice and training base provides simulated offsite environment, develops probation and training programs featured by 5R, namely real corporate environment, real project management, real cases of projects, real work pressure, and real employment opportunities. Meanwhile, the Center offers courses in Chinese and English to meet the requirement of European and American enterprises in service outsourcing. In the future the Center will teach trainees in Japanese for Japanese enterprises.

It is learnt that ChinaSoft International is the flagship enterprise of CS&S Corp. It has been selected one of the key software enterprises in the national plan for four times. Since its foundation in 2000, ChinaSoft International has accumulated rich experience and developed technical advantage in large national informatizaton projects, especially in e-government affairs. In 2008, as an outsourcing service provider, ChinaSoft ranked 2nd for European and American markets and tenth for Japanese market, with its comprehensive performance taking the 5th position, and was selected one of the top global 100 outsourcing service providers in 2009 by The International Association of Outsourcing Professionals (IAOP).

16 Oct 2009 – Novozymes (China) Pilot Plant Opened in TEDA

(Source: en.investteda.org) Recently (China) Novozymes Pilot Plant held an opening ceremony in TEDA. Novozymes is the world leader in enzyme and microorganism. Based in Copenhagen, Novozymes has set up branches in 30 countries and sold products in over 130 countries.

With an investment of 16 million Danish krone, Novozymes (China) Pilot Plant is affiliated with Novozymes Global Development and Optimization. The project has considered the function and development of the plant in its design, structure and construction and has drawn experience from the pilot plants of Novozymes in Denmark and the US. There are 10 sets of the most advanced fully automatic 20 liter fermenters with automatic control systems, on-line measurement systems in the plant. The lab of the plant has been equipped with advanced sample measuring instruments.

29 Sept 2009 – TII Basketball Tournament Came to an End

(Source: original) 2009 TEDA Innovation Cup Basketball Tournament for High-tech Enterprises, which was initiated and organized by TII, was officially came to an end after 57 fierce competitions among 14 representative teams lasting from June to September. Tianjin Advanced Information Products Co., Ltd. reaped the laurels while E-TEDA Technology got the runner-up and Bonna-Agela Technologies and Freescale Qiangxin IC Design Co., Ltd. tied for the third place. A brief ceremony was held to announce the award-winning teams and each winner received a trophy cup as a prize from TII.

23 Sept 2009 – IFCAID Successfully Held in TEDA

(Source: en.investteda.org) Jointly hosted by TEDA Administrative Commission, China Automotive Technology and Research Center (CATARC), Society of Automotive Engineers of China (SAE China)and China Association of Automobile Manufacturers(CAAM), the three-day 2009 International Forum on Chinese Automotive Industry Development (IFCAID) was held from September 4th to 6th at the Renaissance Tianjin TEDA Hotel.

In response to the global financial crisis, policy and market insiders touched upon a series of hotspot topics such as industry reshuffle and revitalization, future development trends, energy conservation, conventional energy, and rural market through the plenary session, VIP roundtables and workshops. Among the Forum's 600-plus audience, approximately 30 are ministerial officials, 70 experts, 300 senior executives (VP level and above) from major domestic and international auto companies, and 100 journalists.

As one of the hosts, TEDA was actively involved in the preparatory work and offered extensive information about local industry environment and incentive policies for auto industry. During the Forum, TEDA officials had intensive discussions with state ministers, domestic and international whole car and parts manufacturers, and management of professional consultancy firms respectively on a wide range of subjects including the future of the global auto industry amid financial crisis, and cooperation possibilities in new energy vehicles, whole car export, auto financing, auto marketing, etc. On the registration day, TEDA arranged a local tour for delegates from over 20 whole car and parts manufacturers, research institutions, financial service agencies, and consultancy firms. Vice Chairman Ni Xiangyu was also invited to give a presentation about the local industry environment and policy system. These events were well received by delegates and many expressed strong interest in working with TEDA in the auto field.

So far, TEDA has gathered 114 auto companies including four whole car manufacturers (Tianjin FAW Toyota, Tianjin Xingma, Tianjin Qingyuan Electric Vehicles, and Great Wall Motor) and 110 part suppliers. In addition, it has approximately 100 auto sales and service companies. In 2008, local auto output volume hit 365,800. From January to July this year, the output value for local whole car manufacturers stood at 27.3 billion yuan and that of parts manufacturers 9.2 billion yuan. Despite of the economic downturn, auto industry, as one of the pillar industries, is flying against the wind with an admirable 17.63% contribution rate to the region's total industrial output value.

31 Aug 2009 – TEDA's 1st Micro Loan Company Established

(Source: en.investteda.org) Tianjin Hanneng Small Loan Co., Ltd. applied for establishment and got approval in TEDA on August 13th, 2009. It is the first RMB micro loan company in TEDA jointly funded by enterprise legal person and natural person without absorbing public saving. It is also one of the city's pilot micro loan companies in an effort to expand financing channels, ease the financing difficulties of small enterprises and micro agriculture loans, and promote the tri-party interaction and coordination between the Tianjin Binhai New Area (TBNA), urban districts, and suburban districts and counties.

The TBNA has been approved by the State Council to serve as a pilot farm for China's financial reform. It is entrusted with financial innovation tasks such as direct financing expansion, financial service system updating, and pilot universal banking. Tianjin Hanneng made a timely entry into this high growth region to add more fuel to the local capital market and financial environment. It plans to focus on serving rural communities, agriculture, and peasants, and explore and provide micro loans as well as related consultancy services to small and medium-sized enterprises, urban and rural residents.

17 Jul 2009 – TEDA Absorbed 2.887 Billion Dollar Contracted Foreign Investment in the First Half Year

(Source: en.investteda.org) 11 new foreign-funded enterprises were registered and 20 enterprises added investment in TEDA in June, with their total investment, contracted foreign investment and actually funded foreign investment up to 568 million dollars, 508 million dollars and 350 million dollars respectively. 53 domestic enterprises were newly registered, with their registered capital reaching 1.032 billion yuan.

In the first half year 54 foreign-funded enterprises were newly approved, and 99 enterprises increased their investment in TEDA, with their investment totaling 3.276 billion dollars, contracted foreign investment 2.887 billion dollars (up by 13.64% over the same period of last year), and actually funded investment 1.505 billion dollars (up by 19.44% over the same period of last year). Among the enterprises funded by Fortune Global 500 corporations, one was recently approved and three increased investment. In the first half year altogether 275 domestic enterprises were registered, with their total registered capital up to 5.563 billion yuan.

So far 4,672 foreign-funded enterprises have been accumulatively approved in TEDA, contributing 50.699 billion dollar investment, 37.995 billion dollar contracted foreign investment, and 21.033 billion dollar actually funded foreign investment. In TEDA 141 enterprises have been funded by 63 Fortune Global 500 corporations from ten countries and regions, and 8,518 domestic enterprises have been registered, with their registered capital up to 115.809 billion yuan.

06 Jul 2009 – State Councilor at BioEco 2009

(Source: MOST.gov.cn) BioEco 2009, the largest and highest grade conference in China's bioeconomy industry which have attracted about 250 experts and over 1,000 enterprises from home and abroad, opened in Tianjin Binhai New Area on June 26 and ran until June 28.

State Councilor Liu Yandong addressed the Conference. According to Liu, the Chinese government would vigorously promote biotech in the fields of medicine, agriculture, industry, energy and environment. Measures would be introduced to expedite the application of biotech achievements so as to raise productivity and enable leapfrogging development of China's bioeconomy.

Other high-ranking government officials attending the event included Zhang Gaoli, Politburo member of the CPC Central Committee and Party Secretary of Tianjin, and Sang Guowei, Vice Chairman of the National People's Congress Standing Committee. The Opening Ceremony was chaired by Li Xueyong, Party Secretary and Vice Minister of the Ministry of Science and Technology.

The 3-day conference was sponsored by 14 domestic departments and 7 international organizations, including the Ministry of Science and Technology, the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Environmental Protection, the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the National Natural Science Foundation of China, the State Food and Drug Administration of China, Tianjin Municipal Government and the United Nations Development Program.

22 Jun 2009 – TII Launches Basketball Tournament

(Source: original) 2009 TEDA Innovation Cup Basketball Tournament for High-tech Enterprises started today in the afternoon at Tianda Science Park Basketball Court. Mr. Xin Li, Director of TEDA International Incubator, attended the opening ceremony and gave a speech. Following the ceremony was the first match between E-TEDA Technology and ACS Tianjin. Loads of staff members from enterprises in the science park watched the match.

It is learnt that the tournament will last nearly four months until mid October.

18 Jun 2009 – Vimicro Eletronics R&D Center Breaks Earth

(Source: en.investteda.org) On June 10th, TEDA Service Outsourcing Park witnessed the grand earth-breaking ceremony for the Starlight China Chip Project R&D Center of Vimicro Electronics Corporation.

Set up on December 29th, 2008 and jointly funded by TEDA State-owned Assets Operation Company and Vimicro International Corporation, Vimicro Electronics is a recognized leader in surveillance and digital security industry of the TBNA and a premier supplier of core technologies in security and surveillance market. Its main shareholder, Vimicro, is China's first NASDAQ-listed chip designer with independent IPR. Supported by the existing competitiveness of Vimicro, the new company has chosen the path of independent innovation from its founding day and devoted itself to the research, development, and commercialized application of the core technologies in security surveillance.

Focusing on the R&D and design of digital video surveillance chips, the R&D Center for Vimicro Electronics' Starlight China Chip Project will be active in the R&D and application design of high-end surveillance software and systems as well as the R&D, design and assembly of key equipments so as to foster an industry chain for surveillance and digital security. So far, the company has successfully developed a high-capacity telecom-class broadband video surveillance system with independent IPR. As a reliable supplier in China's information and national security market, it will serve as a technology powerhouse for the country's surveillance and digital security bases and the entire industry, improve the competitiveness of the core technologies of our information industry, promote the development of related industries, and speed up industrial upgrading.

10 Jun 2009 – Tianda Science Park Basketball Court Officially Opens

(Source: original) For employees in the science park to have enriched leisure time activities and for everyone to enjoy convenient sports facilities, TEDA International Incubator has built an outdoor basketball court in the science park (near Software Building). This court has officially opened and it is now available to everyone in the park to take exercises.

The opening hour is: 11:30-13:30 during the noon break and 16:30-19:00 after work, Monday to Friday. Should you have any questions please contact the project manager Mr. Jing (Mobile: 13902135557).

27 Apr 2009 – Novozymes (China) Biopharma Co., Ltd. Breaks Ground in TEDA

(Source: en.investteda.org) On April 27, Novozymes (China) Biopharma Co., Ltd. held a ground-breaking ceremony in TEDA. Novozymes is a world leading company in enzyme preparations and microbe. With its headquarters in Copenhagen, Danmark and branches in 30 countries around the world, Novozymes has its products available in over 130 countries. Novozymes (China) Biotechnology Co., Ltd., an enzyme production facility of Novozymes, has been operating for over ten years in TEDA and performed quite well.

Novozymes has made another investment to set up Novozymes (China) Biopharma Co., Ltd. in TEDA. The new company will specialize in the production of bHA (bacillus-based hyaluronic acid) through the fermentation of bacilli. Such product is applied to medical devices and medicines, such as eye care products, etc. In the future the company will construct a series of workshops for API (active pharmaceutical ingredients) and other pharmcautical ingredients. With an investment of 200 million to 300 million Danish krone (nearly 35 million to 50 million dollars), the new facility is expected to be put to use in the first quarter of 2011. The new facility will produce HA which meets the Q7 medical standard set by drug administrations of most countries around the world.

22 Apr 2009 – YAKULT Settles Down in TEDA

(Source: en.investteda.org) At the invitation of Yakult Honsha, a TEDA delegation headed by Vice Chairman Ai Yamin visited the company's headquarters in Tokyo, Japan in early April. The delegation comprises officials from the Investment Promotion Bureau, Economic Development Bureau, Trade Development Bureau, Construction Development Bureau, Public Utility Bureau, and Foreign Affairs Bureau of TEDA. Entrusted by TEDA Administrative Commission, Vice Chairman Ai signed a land transfer contract with Yakult.

Started up in 1935, Yakult boasts over 70 years of experience in the production and marketing of fermented diary products. It now ranks among the world’s largest producers and sellers of fermented active lactic acid bacteria and operates 18 plants in 28 countries and regions for the production and marketing of Yakult-branded active lactic acid beverages.

With 63 million dollars of investment from Yakult (China) Investment Co., Ltd., the Tianjin facility of Yakult has a registered capital of 21 million dollars and occupies a 40,000-square-meter premise. Construction will start at the end of this year and be finished in two years. Once operational, it will see a sales revenue of 400 million yuan annually and its products will be 100% supplied to the Chinese domestic market.

18 Mar 2009 – TEDA and Tianjin Bonna-Agela Technologies Ltd. Inked a Cooperation Agreement

(Source: en.investteda.org) On March 18, a ceremony for signing a cooperation agreement on investment increase and production expansion of chromatography packing materials project between TEDA and Tianjin Bonna-Agela Technologies Ltd. was held in the Investment Service Center of TEDA. Mr. Ni Xiangyu, Vice Chairman of TEDA Administrative Commission, and Ms. Liang Ping, Chairwoman of Tianjin Bonna-Agela Technologies Ltd. signed the agreement.

A high-tech company engaged in R&D, production and sale, Tianjin Bonna-Agela Technolgies Ltd. now mainly produces new materials and related products used in analysis, separation and testing. Its products are widely used in biological, medical, food safety testing, environment monitoring, etc. The company added 85 million yuan of investment and purchased 16,000 sqm of land to expand production and build up a modern separation technology engineering center. Within five years after the completion of the project, the company will operate globally, become one of the world's top ten companies in this sector and attain accumulative profits of nearly 150 million yuan. Moreover, its annual industrial output value will reach no less than 300 million yuan five years later.

28 Feb 2009 – BICDS Takes Local Brands to IIC-China 2009

(Source: original) BICDS reports today that it has taken three Tianjin IC companies to The 14th Annual International IC-China Conference & Exhibition (i.e. IIC-China 2009) taking place in Shenzhen, 26-27 February. IIC-China is considered as China’s largest annual showcase of IC application technologies and high-end components. Each year thousands of visitors gather at the show in major cities of electronic and IT businesses to learn about the latest electronics system design solutions from international vendors. Sponsored by Global Sources, the show offers enormous business opportunities for the participants, which BICDS considers as a great chance to promote itself as well as IC companies in TEDA or Tianjin. It is learned that two of the three companies: Unitend Technologies Inc. and TeleGene Video Tech Co., Ltd. are from TEDA, whereas the third one: Tianjin Huanxin Technology & Development Co., Ltd. comes from downtown Tianjin.

6 Feb 2009 – 11 Key Projects to Be Finished in 2009

(Source: en.investteda.org) This year 11 key projects such as the Service Outsourcing Park and the Joint Academy of Bio-medicine are to be finished to further improve local public services and facilitate the development and opening-up of the TBNA as a whole.

These 11 projects are: the Joint Academy of Bio-medicine, the Service Outsourcing Park, Phase-I of the Science Development Center, the Fifth Avenue White-collar Apartment, public rental apartment project, TEDA West Blue-collar Apartment, TEDA West Sports Stadium, standard workshops, No.2 Primary School, No.5 Kindergarten, and No.4 Firehouse.

Also, maintenance and renovation of the old TEDA Hospital, the TEDA East Fire Brigade, and Dongting Road Police Station will also be finished this year. In addition, construction work will be initiated for the Phase-II of the Science Development Center, Garbage Compressing and Transport Station, the TEDA West Hospital (a first-level one), the TEDA West Armed Force Barracks, the TEDA West Central-South Stadium, the TEDA West No.2 Fire Brigade, and the TEDA West Police Station. The construction of Binhai University Station, Zhongxinzhuang Station, and Zhangguizhuang Station of the Tianjin-Binhai Light Rail will also be accelerated to further improve local transportation.

To ensure more development space for the future, TEDA will work closely with neighboring regions in the new year. It plans to jointly launch the Nangang Industrial Zone with Dagang District to accommodate more competitive industries such as petro-chemistry, modern metallurgy, and heavy equipment manufacturing so as to create a more high-end, high-quality and hi-tech industrial structure. Currently, TEDA has already signed agreement with Dagang District and the Tianjin Port Group to set up the Nangang Industrial Zone Development Company to oversee the ongoing construction. It will also properly arrange the construction of the Binhai Tourism Zone and get actively involved in the development of the Sino-Singapore Tianjin Eco-city.

2 Feb 2009 – Detailed Subsidizing Measures Coming Out for Teetering Enterprises

(Source: en.investteda.org) According to the TEDA Administrative Commission (TAC), a detailed implementing regulation entitled 15 Measures to Ensure Growth, Survive Difficulties and Build Competitiveness has been released to help enterprises with their operational difficulties. In response to their practical needs, the TAC set up a special team to review the earmarked fiscal grants and offers subsidies in five aspects such as loan interest subsidy.

The Measures will be valid until December 31st, 2009 and applies to small productive enterprises and small and medium-sized technology enterprises that are registered in TEDA, virtually contributive to the disposable income of TEDA, and with recognized operational difficulties by the TAC. According to the Measures, TEDA will offer subsidies to qualified enterprises in the following five aspects:

I. Loan Interest Subsidy

Qualified enterprises can be granted 50% subsidies for the interest of loans related to their operation occurring in 2008 or 2009. The subsidy term is one year. The maximum total subsidy for each recipient enterprise is 500,000 yuan.

II. Subsidy for the Special Audit Fee of Hi-tech Enterprises

Small and medium-sized enterprises who are at start-up phase and apply to be recognized as Tianjin municipal-level hi-tech enterprises yet are financially incapable of paying special audit fee may be granted a maximum of 5,000 yuan as subsidy each.

III. Subsidy for the Patent Purchase of Hi-tech Enterprise Applicants

Small and medium-sized enterprises who are at start-up phase yet without self-developed patents, if need to purchase patent rights or exclusive global licenses for patented technologies to apply for the recognition as Tianjin municipal-level enterprises, can be granted a maximum 20% subsidy for related fees if they do have financial difficulties. The maximum subsidy to each enterprise recipient shall not exceed 100,000 yuan.

IV. Corporate Income Subsidy

Qualified enterprises can be granted 80% of the TEDA-retained part of their paid corporate income tax of 2008. The maximum subsidy to each enterprise recipient is one million yuan.

V. The TAC can also adopt other supportive measures which it considers as rational and feasible according to the specific demand of individual enterprises.

Responsible government staff express that enterprise recipients should have detailed spending plan for the subsidies from the TAC and promise their employee headcount in 2009 shall not be lower than the previous year. To apply for related subsidies, they can go the reception desk of TEDA Policy Delivery Office, namely, Window No.36 of Administrative License Service Center at the B Area of TEDA Investment Service Center.

8 Jan 2009 – TEDA Bonded Logistics Center Approved

(Source: en.investteda.org) Recently, TEDA Bonded Logistics Center was approved by the General Administration of Customs, the Ministry of Finance, the General Administration of Taxation, and the State Administration of Foreign Exchange.

By concept, a bonded logistics center refers to a customs surveillance place as approved by the General Administration of Customs that is specially undertaken by one legal person and operated by several enterprises within the territory of China to undertake business operations of bonded warehousing logistics. It is allowed to store bonded import and export goods, goods that haven't gone through the customs clearance, and engage in simple distribution processing and value-added service, global procurement, international distribution, entrepot trade, and international relay.

The Bonded logistics center of TEDA is a new logistics entity apart from the special customs surveillance places such as the Tianjin Port Free Trade Zone (TPFTZ), Export Processing Zone (EPZ), bonded logistics park, bonded port, comprehensive bonded area, and bonded customs surveillance forms such as bonded warehouse and export surveillance warehouse. It will serve as an integral and dynamic part of Tianjin's comprehensive bonded logistics system. So far, Tianjin is recognized as the most trade-friendly region with the most diversified customs surveillance and most functions in China.

6 Jan 2009 – Vimicro Establishes Joint Venture with TEDA and Expands Surveillance Business

(Source: Vimicro) Vimicro International Corporation (Nasdaq VIMC), a leading fabless semiconductor company that designs advanced mixed-signal multimedia products and solutions, today announced the establishment of Vimicro Electronics Corporation (VEC), a joint venture that includes Vimicro, TEDA and a venture capital fund formed by certain members of Vimicro's management (the Management Fund) in Tianjin, China. The new joint venture focuses on the design and sale of digital video surveillance products and further extends Vimicro's penetration of the fast-growing surveillance market.

Both Vimicro and TEDA each contributed RMB250 million in cash (approximately US$36.8 million) to the joint venture as initial registered capital and each hold close to a 50 percent equity interest in the new entity. The Management Fund holds a nominal equity interest in the joint venture.