Xiamen Area of China (Fujian) Pilot Free Trade Zone [Photo/xmftz.gov.cn]

Haicang district has issued an array of supportive policies to accelerate industrial development in the Haicang Port Area of the Xiamen Area of China (Fujian) Pilot Free Trade Zone, officials said. 

Beneficiaries of the policies include startup companies and out-of-town enterprises that choose to settle in the Haicang Port Area -- the original Haicang Export Processing Zone Phase I -- with a commitment of not relocating for five years. 

The requirement is that they should be included in Haicang's statistics of industrial enterprises, above a specified scale, within the validity period of the policy. Enterprises engaged in the tertiary industry -- such as catering, wholesale and retail -- are also the target of the policies, in addition to others that are verified by the district government. 

The preferential treatment is listed below: 

Rental subsidy

The rent subsidy for office space – 20 yuan ($2.9) per square meter per month – will be granted for enterprises settled in the area. The maximum annual rent subsidy for enterprises belonging to a single legal person is no more than 1 million yuan during the policy period. 

Startup reward

Rewards will be given to startups intending to set up in the Haicang Port Area. The maximum reward is 10,000 yuan per year if the company has less than 10 employees. For every five people hired, the maximum amount increases by 5,000 yuan with a 30,000 yuan ceiling. The money can be used to deduct from the purchase of corporate services. 

Business management reward

In the first two years, enterprises will be rewarded with matching funding of 100 percent of their district-level income contribution, and in the following three years, the proportion will be adjusted to 60 percent. 

Special support

For major projects and others of high growth potential with forward-looking technology that can lead industry innovation in the area, if they need special support, the district government will come up with a solution according to their needs. 

Industry leaders and industry associations that are active in attracting the above-mentioned enterprises can also present their requirements for special assistance. 

Decoration subsidy

Enterprises that are newly settled in the Haicang Port Area (including services industry insiders in catering, coffee bars and supermarkets) will be granted a one-time decoration subsidy of 200 yuan per square meter where their business area exceeds 50 square meters. Up to 1,000 sq m can be subsidized. However, the requirement is that the project must obtain relevant licenses within four months after signing a contract and have been in operation for more than six months.