Tengzhou Economic and Technological Development Zone in Shandong province was upgraded from a provincial level economic and technological development zone (ETDZ) to a national level one, according to an approval issued by the State Council on June 17.

This has brought the number of State-level ETDZs in Shandong to 16.

Established in 1992, Tengzhou Economic and Technological Development Zone has introduced a number of influential companies from home and abroad, including Franz Haniel & Cie. GmbH, one of Europe's largest privately owned family businesses, SK Group, the third-largest conglomerate in South Korea, as well as Lenovo, a Chinese multinational technology company.

After years of development, it has gradually formed a development pattern of a comprehensive industrial zone, a smart manufacturing industrial park, and a high-tech chemical industrial park.

In recent years, the zone has been ramping up efforts to attract investment and facilitate cooperation. It has introduced 52 projects, each worth more than 100 million yuan ($15.48 million).

It has been streamlining the services it provides for businesses so they can carry out their operations with greater efficiency and attract more investment. The zone is also taking measures to enhance government service quality and efficiency to create a better business environment.