A total of 624 new foreign-funded enterprises are established in Xiamen, East China's Fujian province in the first half of this year. [Photo/xmnn.cn]

Xiamen in East China's Fujian province will further open up and improve its business environment to facilitate the development of foreign enterprises in the city, according to a forum for representatives of foreign enterprises held in Xiamen on Oct 9.

Nearly 30 representatives of well-known foreign-invested enterprises, including Dell Technologies, Panasonic, Motic, Singapore Technologies Aerospace, and Schneider Electric provided their thoughts on how best to promote industrial transformation and upgrading, strengthen Xiamen's industrial chains, and improve the efficiency of customs clearance. They also placed high hopes on the development of Xiamen and are looking to increase investment and expand the industrial layout in the city.

Hu Changsheng, Party secretary of Xiamen, noted that the city has achieved rapid development in export-oriented economy over the past 38 years since the establishment of the Special Economic Zones of Xiamen in 1980. The city has become a national leader in reform and opening-up.

According to Hu, foreign-invested enterprises have made great contributions to Xiamen's economic growth, generating 70 percent of the city's GDP, 40 percent of its imports and exports, and 30 percent of tax revenue. This year, Xiamen enacted measures to further attract investment and bolster economic growth, Hu added.

Hu noted that in the future, Xiamen will expand cooperation with well-known enterprises from home and abroad and set up a modern industrial system. The city will also create a world-class business-friendly environment, further reduce barriers to foreign investment, and increase support for foreign enterprises.