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Tianjin Italian SME Industrial Park

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  • Welcome to the Tianjin Italian SME Industrial Park Website!

    China and Italy, once connected by the ancient Silk Road, are now thriving partners in cooperation. In recent years, the two countries have witnessed significant achievements in economic, technological, and cultural collaboration. China stands as Italy's primary trading partner in Asia and the third-largest source of imports, while Italy remains a key economic parnter for China in the European Union.

    Italy, renowned as the 'Kingdom of Small and Medium Enterprises,' boasts over 98% of its enterprises categorized as such, making it a significant player in the global economy. It is the fourth-largest trading parnter of China in the European Union, the third-largest source of technology importer, the fourth-largest export market, and the fifth-largest source of imports. The total import and export volume between the two sides continues to rise, with China's trade volume with Italy exceeding 70 billion US dollars again in 2023, reaching a total of 71.757 billion US dollars, with Chinese imports increasing by 1.4% year-on-year. Furthermore, the stock of direct investment between China and Italy has surpassed 10 billion US dollars, highlighting the resilience and potential of their pragmatic cooperation.

    Tianjin: A Strategic Hub for Sino-Italian Collaboration

    As one of China's municipalities directly under the central government, Tianjin serves as a pivotal hub of the Maritime Silk Road and a convergence point for the Belt and Road Initiative. Its vast economic hinterland and status as a crucial port city make it an ideal location for cooperation between China and Italy. Tianjin boasts a long history of exchange with Italy, fostering a solid foundation for bilateral cooperation. Notably, the Italian-style area in Tianjin is the largest and best-preserved cluster of Italian architecture in Asia, showcasing the profound cultural ties between the two countries.

    Tianjin and Italy: A Productive Partnership

    In 2019, the total import and export volume between Tianjin and Italy reached 7.45 billion RMB, reflecting a 14.2% year-on-year increase. As of the end of 2021, Italy had established 178 foreign-invested enterprises in Tianjin, with contractual foreign investment reaching 942 million US dollars and actual investment reaching 470 million US dollars. During the challenging period of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, Tianjin demonstrated its spirit of friendly cooperation, by donating a substantial amount of anti-epidemic materials to Italy.

    Tianjin Port Free Trade Zone: An Essential Economic Functional Zone in Northern China

    As a significant economic functional zone in northern China, the Tianjin Port Free Trade Zone has experienced continuous growth and development. It serves as a vital engine for the Belt and Road Initiative, free trade pilot zones, and the coordinated development of the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region. The zone actively cultivates various industrial clusters, including civil aviation, biotechnology, marine economy, hydrogen energy, and intelligent technology.

    Tianjin Italian SME Industrial Park: A Premier Destination for Italian Investment in China

    To further deepen Sino-Italian cooperation, the Tianjin Municipal Government has established the Tianjin Italian SME Industrial Park within the Tianjin Port Free Trade Zone. This initiative aims to create a favorable business environment, support the development of Italian SMEs in Tianjin, and promote bilateral cooperation in industries, trade, and technology. The industrial park is envisioned as a prime location for Italian investment in China, a bridgehead for China-Italian strategic cooperation, and an internationally influential economic and trade cooperation zone. In pursuit of this vision, the Tianjin Port Free Trade Zone has forged a strategic partnership with the China-Italy Chamber of Commerce, established specialized service agencies and operational carriers, and formulated supportive policies to provide comprehensive services for Italian businesses.

    China and Italy: A Promising Path Forward

    Looking ahead, China's economy is poised for continued growth, with an expanding middle-income group expected to drive demand for quality goods and services. Additionally, China remains committed to achieving carbon neutrality and curbing carbon dioxide emissions. Authoritative institutions project that China's growth rate can be sustained at around 5% over the next five years, with a projected per capita GDP of $20,000 by 2030. China's role as a global economic engine is expected to persist, with its contribution to world economic growth potentially reaching 35% by 2030, according to the International Monetary Fund forecast. The vast market opportunities presented by China's ongoing development in advanced manufacturing, new urbanization, and green low-carbon transformation, coupled with the implementation of the China-EU Geographical Indications Agreement, hold immense potential for Italian high-quality products and services. During the meeting with Prime Minister Meloni in 2022, President Xi Jinping highlighted prospective areas of collaboration, including high-end manufacturing, clean energy, aviation, aerospace, and third-party markets. China is committed to enhanced openness and will increase imports of high-quality Italian products. Significant economic and trade agreements between the two countries, such as the import of Italian pears into China and the registration of beef enterprises in China, were signed in 2023.

    The year 2024 marks the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Italy, coinciding with the 700th commemoration of Marco Polo's passing, presenting a unique opportunity for further strengthening bilateral relations. The Tianjin Port Free Trade Zone, through the Tianjin Italian SME Industrial Park, will continue to champion win-win cooperation and provide an exceptional business environment, contributing to a new chapter in Tianjin-Italy collaboration.



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