In spite of the global financial crisis, the economy at Huaqiao Economic Development Zone developed rapidly and steadily in the first half of this year. The following table illustrates that development:

Other examples of progress include the following:

There has been rapid construction progress. 13 roads, with a total length of 13.8 km, are under construction. 20-km-long pipes are being laid to drain waste water. 59 major construction projects are underway, including the Cross-Straits Trade Center, a Service Outsourcing Area, Headquarters Base and the light subway. The construction of a Central Park and Ecological Garden, which covers 1.1 million square meters, has also been progressing well. Headquarters of major enterprises, like Capgmini, Tangram and CITIC, are being built. Collectively, they will cover 1.374 million square meters.

Second Huaqiao has organized a series of major events, including the Beijing Financial Salon, a Hong Kong Financial Salon and projects designed to attract major enterprises to Huaqiao. 167 projects were introduced, resulting in 182 million dollars of foreign investment and 1.01 billion yuan in private investment. Five service outsourcing enterprises have been in operation, including Summit Software, Start Dima Data Processing Co Ltd, Tangram Customer Interaction Center, and the eastern branch of Bank of China Services Company. Their contract capital has reached 500 million yuan, over 5 million dollars of which were made from offshore services.

Third, basic infrastructure facilities have been developed. Electronic power and telecommunications infrastructure is in good conditions, meeting the needs of local enterprises and households. Transport facilities have been formed and local taxis have been put into operation. In addition, a group of companies moved into Huaqiao, including the Hilton Hotel, Entrepreneur Club, Daqian Restaurant and a branch of Bank of Communications, Huaqiao People’s Hospital, Community Sanitary Center, to meet the daily needs of the local residents.

Fourth, a series of preferential policies were implemented to help local citizens. 427 families have been moved into new apartments and granted the stock shares of local real estate incorporation. 1,300 poor people were provided with special subsidies. 3.7 million yuan was allocated to help local citizens to create their own businesses. 860 graduates and unemployed workers were hired by the enterprises at Huaqiao.

Finally, Huaqiao also took measures to promote its social security, discipline investigation, education, culture, family planning and labor unions in order to create a harmonious environment for economic development.