Qingdao’s software industry maintained robust growth in 2012, with income totaling 48.8 billion yuan ($7.83 billion) from January to November. It was a year-on-year increase of 52 percent, ranking first in sub-provincial cities. The growth suggests that the software industry in Qingdao will likely see annual income of 53 billion yuan in 2012, a year-on-year increase of more than 34 percent, according to the Qingdao Economic and Technology Committee.

Qingdao has created a structure supporting strategic software industry development, establishing Shinan Software Park and Laoshan Software Park in the east, Qingdao Information Valley in Huangdao district, and Qingdao Software Center in the north.

The Qingdao government supports the software industry by carrying out favorable policies in talent introduction, enterprise cultivation and industrial agglomeration. Every year, 50 small and medium-sized software enterprises with excellent service capacity are eligible for government support to promote cooperate with large enterprises through specialization and outsourcing. In addition, Qingdao’s government provides priority support in innovation, technology, personnel training and listing to 10 leading software enterprises.

By 2016, Qingdao will have 1,500 software enterprises bringing an annual income of 220 billion yuan. The city will build a national large-scale software industry demonstration base with advanced equipment, innovation and strong brand image.

Edited by Michael Thai, Li Xiaoliang and Zhang Rui