A technician at a new energy company tests machines as the company moves into an international industrial park at Weifang Hi-Tech Industrial Development Zone. CHINA DAILY

The administration of Weifang Hi-Tech Industrial Development Zone has committed to further reform of its service structure in order to create more momentum for local development, after ranking fourth among Shandong's 159 development zones in a recent government assessment.

By continuing to streamline administrative services, innovating evaluation processes and generating new efficient operating mechanisms, the zone has opened new avenues for economic development, zone officials said.

Removing red tape and inefficiency is key to improving the business environment in the development zone, so the zone has integrated 67 departments into just 10 working groups.

Staff are given financial incentives to ensure meticulous services for businesses considering or taking part in projects in the zone, from project initialization to completion.

On Nov 17, NEO Modulus (Shandong) launched a 3D bio-printing implantable medical device project in the zone, which involved an investment worth 350 million yuan ($54 million).

Zhang Wencai, founder of NEO Modulus (Shandong), said the company chose Weifang because of its focus on development opportunities and of wishing to invest in his hometown.

Despite Weifang reducing the size of its financial team, it has become more nimble in dealing with and finding solutions to companies' challenges, according to Qu Zhen, deputy director of the zone's capital market department.

The zone started reform of its human resource system in 2019, applying a competitive element for all staff members with their salaries directly linked to their performance.

"After the reform, we will comprehensively evaluate the function, task, contribution and other factors of each unit and formulate differentiated appraisal methods to evaluate their performance," said Wang Yanchun, head of the zone's performance appraisal department.

In early 2020, as the COVID-19 pandemic swept throughout the country, Sun Wenfeng, director of the zone's economic development bureau, traveled to Beijing three times with his team to try and attract investment projects to Weifang.

Their efforts paid off, reaching a cooperation agreement with State Power Investment to facilitate its iron-chromium flow battery project worth a total investment of 4 billion yuan in the zone.

After years of cultivation, the zone has incubated a series of business centers, such as Wuyue Plaza, a semiconductor industrial park and Bohai Bay Shipping Center.

These high-quality projects have brought vitality to the city and created new consumption-driven areas, which have injected new momentum into local economic development.

In recent years, more than 100 parks and playfields, basketball and badminton courts have been built in and around the zone, becoming popular choices for residents wanting to relax, exercise or play sport.

The zone has implemented a"10-minute" life circle pattern around residential blocks to satisfy the shopping needs of the locals. Many large-scale farmers' markets and supermarkets are located right next to residential complexes, providing great convenience.

As an innovative solution to car-parking issues, the zone has introduced an Internet Plus parking management system, that integrates intelligent parking guidance, automatic license plate recognition and parking occupancy status that can be accessed online in one convenient place.