(CFP Photo)

Suzhou Industrial Park (SIP) retained first place for the sixth consecutive year among China’s top 30 national economic and technological development zones in terms of comprehensive development level, announced by the Ministry of Commerce at a press conference on January 27.

In addition to the SIP, five development zones in Kunshan, Jiangning, Nanjing, Xuzhou and Wujiang also made it onto the list, ranking 5th, 6th, 11th, 23rd and 29th respectively.

The SIP and development zones in Kunshan and Suzhou Xushuguan took first place, second and ninth on the list of foreign trade volume.

As a flagship cooperation between China and Singapore, the SIP is expected to achieve a GDP of around 325 billion yuan in 2021, with a year-on-year growth of 9.5% to 10%. The total output value of industrial enterprises above designated size and the general public budget revenue are estimated to be 596 billion yuan and 40 billion yuan, up 16.5% and 6% respectively.

The SIP also saw 350 new foreign-funded projects, actual use of foreign direct investment of $1.97 billion and a foreign trade of $110 billion in the year.