Anton Tscherne: Today we are at the Haining Economic Development Zone in Haining China.

We are here today to interview Susanne Liang who is the director of the investment attraction bureau. Thank you for meeting us today and it is a pleasure to meet you.

Susanne Liang: Thank you.

Anton Tscherne: Today we would like to discuss your background and the services of the Haining Economic Development zone.

I noticed that your English name on your business card is “Susanne”. That is a very popular name in Germany. You however are Chinese. Did you study German when you where at the University?

Susanne Liang: Yes. I studied at Zhejiang University of Science and technology in Hangzhou. Then in 2012 I studied in a 2 year MBA program at Zhejiang Gongshang University in Hangzhou.

Anton Tscherne: What were your first jobs after graduating?

Susanne Liang: After graduating I started work at Zheijiang Haining Economic development zone. My first position was in project management for 6 years then I moved to my current job as Director in 2013.

Anton Tscherne: What are your main functions as director and how many employees are in your department?

Susanne Liang: There are 20 people working in our office. My function is to attract foreign and domestic companies to set up in the Haining Economic development zone. I also visit companies here and see if they wish to expand their factory in the zone.

Anton Tscherne: Can you give us an introduction of the Haining Economic development zone such as when was it started?

Susanne Liang: The Haining Economic Development Zone was established in August 1992 and approved as a provincial development zone in 1997. It passed the audit of the State Council in March 2006 and was rated as provincial Hi -Tech Industrial Zone in 2010.

Anton Tscherne: I also noticed in your brochure that there is a Jianshan New District. Could you tell us about this new district.

Susanne Liang: This new district is located in the east and south part of Haining city, which was developed by artificial reclamation.

This area is planned and built ecologically. It is becoming an emerging industrial city within the Hangzhou Bay economic circle. In 2012, the Haining Economic Development Zone integrated with Jianshan New District.

Anton Tscherne: Can you tell us more about the Jianshan New District?

Susanne Liang: The south area (Jianshan New District) is located in the east

and south part of Haining city. It is in the shape of a peninsula and was developed by artificial reclamation. Jianshan New District has been gradually built into a modern integrated coastal city with manufacturing such as autos and spare parts, new energy utilization, machinery, tele-communication and new materials. There is also tourism and other leisure features in the zone. Its total area is 42 km2, which can meet the land requirements for some large projects.

Anton Tscherne: Can you tell us how many companies are located in the Haining Economic Development Zone.

Susanne Liang: Until 2014 the number of enterprises approved into the zone has been more than 1200. Among them, more than 200 foreign businessmen from countries and regions as US, Spain, Italy, Japan, Norway, France, Germany, England, Korea, Australia, the Virgin Islands (UK), Taiwan, and Hong Kong. They have all invested in the zone.

Anton Tscherne: Are there original equipment manufacturers (OEM) in the zone that produce for major international brands?

Susanne Liang: Yes. They produce for such Top-Brand companies. There are also many suppliers for 2 car manufacturers located here (Ford and Luxgen).

There is also a company called TDG which was the first private company to list on the Shanghai stock exchange.

Anton Tscherne: There are also probably the suppliers to these factories nearby?

Susanne Liang: True

Anton Tscherne: There are 3 large Harbors nearby. Can you describe them.

Susanne Liang: the Shanghai harbor is the largest harbor in China and the major harbor for importing and exporting cargos in Haining. It is 160 km far away from Haining.

The Ningbo Harbor is the fifth largest harbor in China and the largest harbor in Zhejiang Province. The distance from Haining to Ningbo Harbor is only 100 km.

The Jiaxing Harbor is 45 Km away from Haining. At present, it possesses 12 berths for ships with the level of ten thousand tons.

Anton Tscherne: When I first came to China I visited the famous “leather City”. Could you tell us about the industries in Haining?

Susanne Liang: Haining is famous for 3 traditional industries: leather, home textiles and warp knitting. Haining has become the largest leathering processing base in China.

Recently, Haining is trying to develop some strategic emerging industries like auto and auto parts, new energy, new material and environmental protection.

Anton Tscherne: Your zone has a very good established infrastructure.

Susanne Liang: Yes. The zone has sufficient electric power, water and gas supply.

Anton Tscherne: How is the supply of labor in Haining

Susanne Liang: There are 3 universities in Haining which supply qualified and dedicated workers. There are also 8 vocational schools located in Haining.

There is also now being built the Zheijiang University International campus which will be located east of the downtown.

Anton Tscherne: If a foreign company is interested in setting up their company or factory in your zone what services can you offer them.

Susanne Liang: First， they should contact us, we will help to do the registration, and there is an “Enterprise Service Department” which can help with the application for establishing a new company in our zone. Also questions can be answered regarding: income tax, VAT, subsidy for infrastructure expenses, regulations on importing and exporting machinery equipment, water & electricity fees, and social insurance fees.

Anton Tscherne: Because your English is so good I am sure many foreign companies ask you many questions.

Susanne Liang: Yes. There is the special service department to help companies get information. However often the foreign representatives like to speak to the first person they meet in our zone.

Anton Tscherne: I have visited Haining 5 times already and feel that Haining is a comfortable place to live for foreigners.

Susanne Liang: the living environment in Haining is quite good. Haining residents enjoy good medical sanitary conditions, hotels, and recreation areas. There are unique natural landscape resources in the zone. The Jianshan Lake covers an area of 206 hectares and is the living place of 200 kinds of wild birds.

The Jianshan Golf Club, which covers an area of 200 hectares has 36 holes and is the biggest golf court in East China. It has become the entertainment place for entrepreneurs.

Anton Tscherne: Lastly, I read that there is an Entrepreneur and Innovation platform in Haining.

Susanne Liang: Yes. There is a zone called Shanghai CAOHEJING High-tech Park in Haining proposed by State Council. The CAOHEJING collaborates with the Haining Economic Development Zone and established the Shanghai CAOHEJING high-tech park Haining sub-district.

The total planning area of Shanghai CAOHEJING High-tech Park Haining is 15 km2. As a high and new tech industrial park, Haining sub-district will develop IT, new energy, new material, mechanized equipment, auto fittings, logistics and modern service.

Anton Tscherne: Is there also a place called Haining Technology Venture Center for start up companies. Can you explain this center.

Susanne Liang: The Haining Technology Venture Center was established in 2005. It is not only an incubator to cultivate technology enterprises but also a start up platform for technology talented people. The center provides services such as: offices, funds, business counseling and financing services to technology startups.

Anton Tscherne: Thank you Ms. Liang for explaining the Haining Economic development Zone and its functions and if someone wants more information they can look at the website at: www.hnedz.com