According to statistics released by Ningbo Statistics Bureau about the economic operation of Ningbo in the first quarter this year, in the severe situation home and abroad, Ningbo is taking take resolute and daring action to deal with the international financial crisis and to ensure the steady development in the future.

The economic decline at the end of the last year affected the industry of Ningbo this year. In the first quarter of this year, the GDP of large industrial enterprises amounted to 260.56 billion yuan, leveling the same period of the previous year with the growth rate 27.6 points lower than the same period of the last year.

However, on the monthly base, there is a growth of major economic indexes.

In the first three months, the growth rate of large industrial enterprises reaches 3.3 points. In March, the gross output of large industrial enterprises reaches 103.39 billion yuan, 5.3% more than the same period in the previous year. and 4.7%% more than the average monthly output of the previous year. This indicates that the monthly output has resumed the high level of the last year.

Besides, the total added value of the large industrial enterprises amounted to 47.65 billion yuan, increased by 28.% over the precious year and 4.5 points higher than the first two month this year.  In the same three month, the reduction rate of profit and that of profit tax drop by 7.9 and 0.6 points respectively.

Tang Baisheng, General Statistian of Ningbo Statistics Bureau said, “The drop of the reduction rates is confirmed by the drop of industrial power consumption. In the first quarter, the industrial power consumption drops by 1.1% over the same period of last year, with the growth rate 13.2 points lower than the same period of the last year but slightly higher than January and February. Taking the manufacturing industries as an example, the power consumption drops by 3.6% over the same period of last year but in March the power consumption rises by 5.1 points against January and February.”

Foreign trade is recovering, though not very fast. In the first quarter, the total import and export volume reaches $22.29 billion US dollars, increased by 19.% over the precious year and 2.5 points higher than the first two months this year. Of the total, the export reaches 13.3 billion, increased by 4.8%.

In particular, the export in March rises by 10.9%, 2 points higher than the average growth rate of the country.

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Capitalism faltered at the end of the 1990′s. The Stock Market bubble burst and the american business model — unfettered self-interest and low tax —- Privatisation faced a storm of protest. But what are the alternatives to the mantras of market fundamentalism?

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As the core area of building the strong international port and developing the port industries, Beilun District is demonstrating its leading role in the strategic situation of Zhejiang’s marine economy, with the settlement of a range of quality marine economic projects in the district. according to Chen Lixing, member of the Standing Committee of Ningbo Municipal Party Committee and Secretary of Beilun District Party Committee, accelerating the development of marine economy in the district plays a significant strategic role in implementing the “six-quickening” strategy, transforming Ningbo from “big marine economic city” to “strong marine economic city”, and boosting the comprehensive economic strength of Beilun District to the “leading party”” of towns and counties nationwide. So far, 89 marine industrial investment projects have been approved, with the total industrial investment amounting to over 100 billion yuan during the whole 12th Five-Year Plan period. Marine economy in the district is to see a prosperous period.

As an important platform for marine economy in Zhejiang Province and the core of the strategic pattern of “a port and two bays” in Ningbo, Meishan Industrial Cluster Zone has been listed among the 14 key industrial cluster zones in the province. Backed by Meishan Bonded Port Area, the zone will be built into an important growth pole of Beilun’s economic development. So far about 1000 enterprises have been attracted to settle in Meishan Industrial Cluster Zone, and a distinct core industry system will be formed this year.

The district is accelerating its development of port logistics service industry and construction of ten commodities trading platforms for oil products, LNG and steel products, etc. It is making efforts to realize the aim of bulk commodities turnover exceeding 150 billion yuan and major varieties achieving pricing power by 2015. Currently, such projects as China Mercantile Exchange and the Exchange of Metal Mineral Products and Imported Coal have been put into operation, with the accumulative amount of metal mineral products and imported coal exceeding 30 million tons and the turnover surpassing 30 billion yuan.

“The intensive promotion of a range of major marine economic projects will play a demonstrative role in developing marine economy in Ningbo or even Zhejiang Province.” said related personnel in charge of Beilun District Reform and Development Bureau. In the district, 21 major projects with a total investment of 60 billion yuan have been included in the major marine economic development planning of Zhejiang Province during the 12th Five-Year Plan period. It is estimated that by 2015, the gross marine product in Beilun District will exceed 60 billion yuan, its proportion among the local GDP will increase to 60%, and the proportion of marine strategic emerging industries will reach over 30%. Beilun will then be built into the demonstrative base for marine emerging industries in Zhejiang Province and an important manufacture industrial base for marine engineering equipments in the Yangtze River Delta region

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Firstly, vigorously developing collection and distribution network which gives priority to sea and railway through transport. In accordance with the national integrated transport hub, we should focus on developing sea and railway through transport to realize multi-modal transportation while advancing the contruction of the  Ningbo-Taizhou-Wenzhou expressway, integrated road network in urban areas (One ring road and five radial roads in specific) and the phase-3 project of the airport. We should also speed up the construction of container terminals and port extensions, and strengthen Zhenhai’s role as a logistics hub in sea and railway through transport of bulk commodities. Meanwhile, we should promote cooperation between Ningbo and cities along the Yangtze River and main railways by opening container lines to Jiangxi Province, Anhui Province, Sichuan Province, etc, effectively enhancing its radiation capacity to the Yangtze River delta and the midwest areas.
Secondly, proactively developing Zhejiang trading center of bulk commodities. Relying on the existent market and sea and railway through transport, we will improve the trading platform of liquid chemicals, plastics, steel, nickel, ships, especially iron ore and imported coal. We will build a batch of new delivery warehouses and storage bases of coal, steel and iron ore. We will introduce international operators, traders and futures brokers to promote services like spot transaction and forward contract dealing and others.
Thirdly, lengthening the industry chain of port logistics. We will venture into import business and vigorously develop commercial and value-added logistics with distribution processing, assorted delivery, international procurement and re-export. While advancing the construction of comprehensive shipping pilot area in the bonded zone of Meishan, Ningbo, we will also work hard to perfect the shipping and logistics information system, build a standardized, widely-covered and highly efficient platform of data exchanging and public service, and realize free circulation of port information and business. We will continue to improve the service capacity of information system of E-ports and complete the special logistics information systems for enterprises so that informationization of shipping and logistics will be improved.
Fourthly, innovating on shipping financial service. We will push forward the construction of a service center of international finance by gathering many well-known service companies dealing with shipping, trade and finance. We will also support shipping service such as ship trading and management, shipping broking and consultation as well as marine training. We will promote financial service of shipping by conducting ship financing and lease, shipping clearing and insurance, in the hope that a well-developed financial service system can be established for the port.
II. To accelerate transformation of port-based industry and build port-based advanced manufacturing base
Port-based industrial areas in Ningbo have taken shape with petrochemicals, steel, automobile, shipbuilding and energy as its key industries, having become important bases for energy, raw materials and advanced manufacturing in East China. In 2010, its total output reached over 700 bln yuan, accounting for above 60% of Ningbo’s gross output value. Nevertheless, there are significant differences compared with advanced ports in the world. Therefore, sustainable efforts should be made to build a first-rate port-based industrial base. First, to promote development in a green way. We should continue to give full play to its advantages in resources and the national strategy for growth of an ecological port-based industry featuring prosperous market, little environmental pollution, and good economic returns. Second, to develop hi-tech products. We should give priority to hi-tech and import substitute products with more added value by transforming development pattern and optimizing the industrial structure and layout. Third, to promote industrial clusters. We should promote industrial clusters and deal with the three coordinated relations—project construction, elements security and environmental protection,  focusing on projects such as extension of SINOPEC ZRCC, petrochemical industrial programme of Formosa Plastics Group in Ningbo, automobile projects of GEELY and VOLVE and the shipbuilding projects of CSSC in Ningbo.

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III. Multifarious Policies Made to Assist the transition and upgrading of enterprises
According to news from the working conference of Ningbo’s industrial and commercial administration held a couple of days ago, the authority for the administration of industry and commerce was determined to continuously carry out preferential policies to promote regional economic development. 
In the previous year, Ningbo authority of industry and commerce drafted a series of policies and regulations to support the reform of new industry and culture industry, the listing, restructuring and merging of enterprises after in-depth investigation, which has correspondingly attained its goals to some extent. Market entities in 2011 increased by 94, 668, amounting to 498,805 in total which were all of higher qualities.
The authority has also made great efforts to build and maintain brands and trademarks. The registered trademarks of 2011 increased by 19,426, and 10 were verified as reputed trademarks by the administration and 45 verified as renowned ones of Zhejiang Province. In addition, the authority successfully cracked down counterfeit products of Deli Stationary and Youngor nationwide for the first time, winning itself the Gold Medal for Protecting Trademarks awarded by the World Intellectual Property Organization and SAIC jointly.
In the construction of the network for safeguarding consumers’ rights, the government has built 3,034 offices of “one association and two sites” which means the branch of Consumers Association and the site for complaining and the 12315 contact center. It has also set up 782 contact centers for rights protection, saving 25.34 mln yuan for consumers. 
It is learned that in the coming year, Ningbo’s industrial and commercial administration would work harder to facilitate and ensure the rapid while steady economic and social development of Ningbo.
III. To promote marine development through science and technology and develop the new marine industry
The extent to which the new marine industry develops decides on the competitiveness of the marine economy. Ningbo has enrolled the development of marine high technology as a key strategic new industry. It is expected that in five years the added value of the new marine industry accounts for 30% of the marine gross product and the contribution rate of technology in the marine economy takes up above 70%.
First, to improve the research and development system of technology. An open and mark vet-oriented marine technology innovation system that combines learning with research and production and takes enterprises as its mainstay is to be set up to increase the capacity for independent innovation. Special attention will be paid to key fields such as equipment manufacturing, biomedicine and seawater comprehensive utilization to acquire key technology of independent intellectual property. Support will be given to the establishment of marine comprehensive research institute with Ningbo University as the base. Enterprises, social organizations and individuals are encouraged to establish marine technology and research innovation center and to build marine basic research platform, hi-tech R&D platform and technology application platform. Second, to speed up transformation of hi-tech achievements. Support policies for the industrialization of hi-tech achievements and the function of regional technology trading center are to be improved. Pilot enterprises are to be established to promote the new marine industry cluster.
Third, to enlarge the scale of emerging industries. Emerging industries including equipment manufacturing, clean energy, biological engineering, biomedicine, seawater comprehensive utilization and new marine materials are to be promoted to improve the industrialization level and competitive edge. Extension projects (Phase II and phase III) of Zhejiang Shipyard, extension projects of Samsung Heavy Industries and marine diesel engines of Ningbo CSI Power & Machinery Group Co., Ltd. are to be promoted. The establishment of Ningbo LNG terminal and reserve bases are to be sped up. Wind power plants including southeast coastal area of Xiangshan, Hangzhou bay new zone and Beilun Chuanshan Island will be established. Meanwhile, modern marine fishery is to be further developed and aquatic product processing zones are to be set up. Forward contract trading of main fishery products and oil tanker industry are to be developed to promote the coastal tourism.
　　 The establishment of the key demonstration area of marine economy is an important strategy that concerns the future. We should set up an secure system of policies, talents, basic infrastructures and marine comprehensive management according to the 3-Thinks and 3 Pursues Campaign to transform the growth pattern of the marie economy and build Ningbo into a municipality of strong marine economy

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On the afternoon of February 6, five financial institutions at municipal levels signed a strategic cooperation agreement with local government of Yinzhou, in an effort to boost the development of the real economy in Yinzhou District. Vice mayor Su Limian attended the signing ceremony.
According the agreement, the five financial institutions including China Development Bank and Ningbo ICBC shall provide credit support of 45 billion yuan for Yinzhou in the next three years. Meanwhile, six banks entered into a collaboration with six financing bodies, providing loans (credit) amounted to nearly 3.8 billion yuan. The contracted projects shall cover the construction of urban infrastructure, new functional blocks, the development of new rural construction, and micro-enterprises.

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The article Ningbo to Build Strong Marine Economy Geared to National Strategy by Wang Huizhong, member of the Standing Committee of CPC Zhejiang Provincial Committee and Secretary of Ningbo Municipal Party Committee, is published in Qiushi Journal, 2nd edition in 2012. It illustrates in detail the strategic thinking and planning on Ningbo’s shift to a city strong of marine economy.
Ningbo enjoys unique advantages in developing marine economy with abundant marine resources and a fine port. In Program for Developing Zhejiang Marine Economy Demo Zone approved by the State Council in February, 2011, it becomes a national strategy to make Ningbo-Zhoushan port a core area of marine economy in Zhejiang Province. Facing this new opportunity of development, Ningbo should thoroughly implement the scientific development outlook, and focus on port and shipping service, advanced marine manufacturing and emerging marine industries. We should also work hard to make Ningbo a core demonstration area of marine economy with strong economic strength and radiating effect, proper allocation of resources and a complete system of science, technology and culture. In this way Ningbo is expected to realize the historic transition from a big city of marine economy to a city strong in marine economy.
I. To improve collection and distribution network and promote the development of trade and logistics.
It is important to improve its services of trade, logistics and financial information with bulk commodities if Ningbo is to improve the core competitiveness of its marine economy. Ningbo has a fine tradition with bulk commodity trading and port logistics, as well as 77 professional markets for bulk commodity trading. Its trading volume reached 200 billion yuan in 2010, with the volume in crude oil, iron ore, plastics and liquid chemicals ranking No 1 in the whole country. With over 5000 logistics operators, the industry of logistics has contributed more than 10% to the gross product of the city. However, compared to other grand ports in the world, Ningbo still lags behind in terms of the overall size, range of radiation, especially transportation infrastructure and financial information service . In the 12 five-year-plan period, we will promote the influence and competitiveness of marine economy by improving the collection and distribution network with multi-modal transport.
 

–To be continued

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Beilun and Zhenhai are playing a leading role in Ningbo’s goal for a competitive international port.

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The 5th session of the 11th Zhejiang Provincial People’s Congress opened on January 12. In the government work report, Xia Baolong, Vice Governor of Zhejiang, pointed out that Zhejiang should substantially promote modern marine industries and optimize the plan and industrial layout of Huangzhou Bay, Taizhou Bay, Sanmen Bay and Oujiangkou Area. This indicates that these areas are appointed key areas for modern marine industries of Zhejiang.

Reportedly, in these areas, the priority should be given to emerging marine industries, advanced port-oriented manufacturing industries, marine service industries and modern marine fishery, and the scientific development and uses of marine resources.

This year, for the construction of a layout that consists of a core, two wings, three circles, nine areas and islands, the province will strengthen the coordinated efforts of all the cities and counties for the promotion of the construction of the demonstrative marine economic development areas. The province will further promote the construction of the international logistic centers for staple commodities, strengthen the integration of the port resources, improve the management mechanism for the Ningbo-Zhoushan Port, and enhance the coastal infrastructural facilities and the sea and railway transport network. It will improve the logistic service system, and accelerate the construction of the transaction platforms for staple commodities and storage and transport bases for the strategic materials for the state.

The report says that this year the province will complete the construction of the Hang-Yong Passenger Railway and promote the prophase work for the dual line of the Yong-Tai-Wen Highway

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2011 is the first year of the 12th Five-Year Plan Period. During the first 11 months, Beilun’s industrial enterprises of/above the designated size have generated an output value of 170 billion Yuan, about 1/6 of that of Ningbo, with the profits reaching near 13 billion Yuan, about 1/4 of that of Ningbo, both hitting a record high. The indexes of industrial investment, actual utilization of foreign capital, imports and exports all rank first in Ningbo. The growth rate on average exceeds the projected target of the 12th Five-Year Plan and the average level in Ningbo.
 “The rise in economic returns is attributed to the progress in the economic restructuring and changes of the growth pattern”, said Chen Lixing, director-general of Beilun government. Thanks to the improved industrial spatial layout, the output value in the 9 important sectors accounts for more than 95% of the total output value in Beilun. And Beilun has been seeing economic growth in its striving to set up 10 leading enterprises, 20 key enterprises and 200 enterprises with strengths by the end of 2012. From January to November of this year, leading enterprises including Ningbo Steel has reached an accumulated output value of 109 billion Yuan with an increase rate of 20.5%, about 60% of the output value of Beilun industrial enterprises above the designated size.
Innovation has been a stimulus in Beilun economic development. During the past 11 months, high-tech industries have attained an output value of 67.7billion with a growth rate of 25%. The output value of new products has been 32.7 billion Yuan with a growth rate of 38.8%, 16.8 higher than the increase rate of that of industrial enterprises above designated size. Now there are 64 high technology enterprises in Beilun with an annual investment in science research and development of 8,540million Yuan, taking up 2.5% of Beilun GDP.
Beilun has been making full use of its port advantage, building itself into the center of foreign capital utilization in Zhejiang province. During the past 11 months, its contract utilization of foreign capital has been 1,155 million Yuan and actual utilization of foreign capital 742 million Yuan, respectively enjoying a rise of 23.1% and 25.9%, the highest in Zhejiang. The 40 new investment projects, 17 out of which have an investment of more than 10 million Yuan, take in a total investment of 2.08 billion Yuan, doubling that of the same period last year. Utilization of foreign capital has further improved Beilun industrial structure.
Energy conversation also contributes to the economic increase. Beilun has launched 142 energy-saving projects this year and invested a planned amount of one billion Yuan in removing the energy-consumption and heavily air-polluted enterprises. It is expected to save 447,000 tons of standard coals this year. With that, Beilun ranks first in investment volume and energy-saving amount in Ningbo.
Beilun leaders have been confident in addressing difficulties in economic development. New giant projects will sustain the upgrading of the port economy. There have been 147 new projects this year, 51 of which having a planned investment amount of 50 million Yuan each and 5 having more than 1 billion Yuan. There are 106 projects listed as the provincial or municipal-level key projects. This year, Beilun’s planned investment is expected to reach 105% of the year’s target, totaling 21 billion Yuan which goes to 76 key projects. Both the number and the investment amount reach a record high

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