Farewell to the electric power and the chemical industry which used to be the economic development driving force, Yichang has taken strides forward, with the growing optimization of the industrial structure.
Yichang is full of energy and potential by fostering the emerging industries, transforming the traditional industries and developing the modern tertiary industries.
For the first two moths of this year, the industrial added value of the municipal enterprises above the designated size increased by 11.8%, 3% and 0.2% higher than national and provincial average respectively; the public financial budget income grew by 20.3%; the foreign trade export increased 0.8%, 5.1% and 1.7% higher than national and provincial average respectively; and electricity consumption for industrial use rose by 8.4%, 1.4% higher than provincial average.
Introducing high technology to create a powerful engine
On April 11, Wang Jun, Manger of the General Management Department of O’ Cell Technology Co., Ltd, a national high-tech enterprise in Xiaoting District, introduced us the company’s product, power lithium-ion battery. This battery is used for lighting systems, electric vehicles, electric bicycles, police patrol cars and so on. With only over 300 people in this company, the sales revenue reached 140 million RMB last year; the profits reached more than 10 million RMB and 70% of its products are exported.
This is the new energy project introduced into Yichang. Huang Deyong, born in Wufeng County of Yichang and a boss who possesses 11 patents, started a business in Shenzhen previously.
In recently years, Yichang has aimed at the domestic and international market and brought in and developed some leading enterprises and industries which were the main parts of Yichang’s industrial structure and the driving force for stimulating the economy. At present, Yichang possesses 177 high and new technological enterprises, of which are rapidly growing biological medicines, new materials, and electronic information. Those three strategic emerging industries make Yichang a pilot city of emerging industries. In January and February of this year, the output value made by the new material industry was 9.6 billion yuan, an increase of 20.4% and 6% higher than all industries; the output value of biological medicine was 5.65 billion yuan, an increase of 17.3% and 2.9% higher than all industries.
Upgrading traditional industries to fulfill the vitality
Entering the gateway of the fine chemical industrial park exhibition hall of the Xingfa Chemical Group Co., Ltd, the five plaques such as “National High and New Technological Enterprise” , “National Demonstration Enterprise of Technological Innovation ” awarded by the state were conspicuous.
The industrial park with more than 3,000 mu (200.1 hectares) made its sales income of 15.96 billion yuan last year, accounting for 75% of the company’s total output value.
10 years ago, most products of Xingfa Group were chemical raw materials whose industrial chain was short and profit was low. “No innovation, no survival!” said Chen Xiaoqing, the assistant to the general manager. It was the closedown of the industry that made the traditional chemical industry resolutely transformed and made efforts to develop the fine chemical industry.
The 15 industrial parks of the Xingfa Group spread all over China. The circulation is realized within the industrial parks, which is the key to accelerate the development of Xingfa Group.
Now, Xingfa Group has become the biggest in China and well-known in the world, with its fine phosphorus products, and 50% of its leading products are exported to 35 countries and regions.
Based on the geographical advantages and resources to develop sunrise industries
On April 11, although it was raining, the China International Travel Service Yichang Co., Ltd received over 1,000 people.
The Three Gorges Dam and the Qingjiang Gallery attract a great number of visitors all year round. The reception center and parking place of the Jiuwanxi Driftage have been rebuilt and upgraded. The cultural show project of Bawangzhai (according to the legend, the stockade village for Ba people’s the King and Queen) in the Three Gorges Tribe Scenic Spot was launched. Presently, of the 7 AAAAA level scenic spots in Hubei Province, 3 are in Yichang.
Yichang’s cultural tourist industry is full of vigor. From 2006 to 2013, the visitors rose from 9,307,800 to 33,203,700 and the gross income rose from 6.45 billion yuan to 42 billion yuan.
To build the next 100 billion industry, Yichang aims at the cultural tourism. Last year, Yichang Three Gorges tourist new area project was launched, covering 700 square kilometers. The City plans to start 20 projects, and 10 will be finished this year.
Taking geographical advantages to vigorously develop modern logistics industry is also one of the six “100 Billion Industry” being created in Yichang. Right now, the Three Gorges Hub Port is being built to create the transit center for the Three Gorges shipping.
Currently, there are more than 900 logistics enterprises in this city. Last year, the output value of the modern logistics industry reached 71.7 billion RMB, with year-on-year growth of 19.5%. A new 100 Billion Industry is just around the corner. ( Hubei Daily Reporter: Wang Chenglong, Tang Yigui, Yan Yuntao, Correspondent: Yi Shixuan)