Improved services yield big results

Binhai New Area in Tianjin is advancing reforms to create a better business environment.

One of the earliest national comprehensive reform zones, Binhai New Area has rolled out a series of measures to streamline approval procedures and increase efficiency in administrative services.

"We have reduced items that require administrative approvals and slashed steps, time, evidence and documents required for the procedures," said Bai Bingbing, head of the investment department of the area's administrative approval bureau.

It used to take about eight months to receive approval from the government from acquiring land to the start of construction, China Central Television quoted an anonymous executive of a construction company as saying.

Now, that has been reduced by half to about four months, at much lower costs, he said.

Zhou Baofeng, head of the social affairs department of the bureau, told the Economic Daily that in the past, the official paperwork was scattered among different government arms. Each had their own procedures to go through, which affected administrative efficiency.

In the wake of the streamlining of bureaucracy, applications became standardized and one-fourth of them are no longer needed, officials said.

Items that used to require approval by different offices are now processed by designated, one-stop administrative centers.

The reforms were aimed at eliminating red tape for the convenience of residents and business representatives, Zhou said.

"By improving the business environment, we continue to reform and transform our government role in a bid to boost the confidence of companies to invest and found startups in Binhai New Area," said Xu Chunmei, Party chief of the bureau.

The improved business environment has contributed to a boom in the local market.

Government data showed that by the end of September, more than 220,000 commercial entities were operating in the market at the area, an increase of 21.37 percent from a year ago.

Another highlight of the reform is the reduction in institutional transaction costs and a boost in entrepreneurship and innovation, local officials said.

In June, the authorities announced a new settlement policy to attract high-quality professionals.

For professional badly in need at the area, the authorities provide one-stop services for permanent household registration permits, said Li Hongmei, human resources director at Tiandy, a security device manufacturer located in the zone.

On the same day of an application, the authorities can grant a certificate acknowledging the urgency of an application so the filer can obtain his or her household registration permit as soon as possible, Li added.

Officials said that more than 950 big investment projects were signed in the area in the first 10 months of the year.

Investors used to concentrate their attention on prices for land use and factories, but nowadays, they also focus on human resources, comprehensive supportive facilities and policies, and the cultural environment, said Ji Zemin, director of the area's investment promotion center.

According to 91maker, an online startup business incubator in the area, nearly 200 offline activities were held, which helped more than 10 startup programs secure over 20 million yuan ($2.9 million) in financing.

There are 58 facilities like 91maker to help startup teams in the area. Combined, they house 2,440 startup businesses and have helped with funding worth 3.56 billion yuan.