Zhang Binna (R) learns about the functions of a food sorting machine from a researcher at Tomra, a Norwegian multinational whose Chinese business is headquartered in Xiamen. [Photo/xmnn.com]

Xiamen has become a magnet for foreign capital in recent years, due to its improving investment environment that includes an efficient market, strengthened infrastructure and quality public services, officials said. 

Zhang Binna, director of the Foreign Investment Promotion Office at the Xiamen Commerce Bureau, said she had seen enthusiasm infused into foreign investment in Xiamen, and she herself was one of those driving the prosperity. 

"Promoting investment determines the growth of a city's future development,"  Zhang said. 

Possessing long-term vision, Zhang has been engaged in related fields in foreign investment in Xiamen for 24 years. 

She said the port city has a complete process for services -- based on years of experience -- that includes a warm reception, attaching great importance to the needs of investors, and providing efficient solutions. In addition, Zhang has the advantage of a professional team behind her to achieve their goals. 

The foreign investment promotion team has not only served the likes of Dell, Amazon, ABB, Schneider, Toyota Tsusho, Shell, Nestlé among other Global Fortune Top 500 companies, but also Tomra, the world's leading sensor sorting and recycling technology provider. 

The team has also worked with Bugaboo, manufacturer of first-class baby strollers; Shenzhen Tai Ping Carpet, one of the world's leading custom hand-tufted carpet manufacturers; and Magnetics, a leading world supplier of precision soft magnetic components and materials to the electronics industry. 

"Only by understanding companies in depth can we provide more help for them," Zhang said. 

Taking Tomra as an example, the Norwegian multinational corporation's Chinese business is headquartered in Xiamen. Not unnaturally, visa applications are a frequently encountered issue, in addition to children's schooling, work permits and the social security system of its staff members. 

In this context, investment officers often proactively take the initiative to help sort problems to meet employee needs, so that the companies are able to stably develop in Xiamen on a long-term basis. 

Zhang said she placed emphasis on teamwork and collaboration of relevant departments, without which they could not have succeeded in attracting any project or investor. 

In addition, Zhang said there was need to contribute to planning, services and coordination of foreign capital for the city from a high level. In the meantime, efforts were spent planning and organizing investment promotions activities and project matchmaking. 

Last year, the city rolled out several measures to promote foreign investment growth in Xiamen. It was the first time that Xiamen proposed systematically promoting foreign investment. 

Zhang said her colleagues have devoted a great deal of effort in the compilation process by widely collecting and studying foreign investment policies, as well as soliciting opinions from enterprises and related departments. To bring maximum benefits to relevant companies, the policy details were revised hundreds of times before the final version was reached, she said. 

Zhang said she always opens her ears to the advice of enterprises on urban development and learns from advanced experience abroad to make it serve Xiamen. 

Her office has made proposals on improving the public bicycle system, protecting the cultural heritage of Gulangyu Island, developing the yacht industry, and improving the sorting process for domestic garbage in Xiamen. 

These, she added, not only reflect public concerns, but exert a positive influence on Xiamen's entire business environment.