The Xiamen Torch Development Zone for High Technology Industries sees the opening of 2,107 companies in 2019, 33.7 percent more than 2018. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

The Xiamen Torch Development Zone for High Technology Industries in Xiamen, East China's Fujian attracted significant investment in 2019, according to local media reports on Jan 13.

The high-tech zone saw the opening of 2,107 companies last year, 33.7 percent more than 2018. Three of the companies are worth 10 billion yuan ($1.45 billion) and 16 are worth one billion yuan, including China Lithium Battery Technology Co. Ltd and Inspur Group.

In 2019, the high-tech zone saw the opening of 140 national-level high-tech companies, accounting for 46.7 percent of the total in Xiamen, eight provincial-level maker spaces, and two national-level enterprise technology centers.

The high-tech zone also saw the expansion of 176 projects in 2019 with total investment of 21.2 billion yuan, respective year-on-year increases of 23 percent and 30.3 percent respectively.

The total output of companies above designated size in the Xiamen zone is expected to reach 291.8 billion yuan, while the zone's actual use of foreign investment amounted to 2.57 billion yuan and its software and information service industry is estimated to have brought in 118.2 billion yuan over the past year.

The high-tech zone's comprehensive strength was recognized by on a national level through the honorary titles of demonstration park for intellectual property rights, green industry park and role model base for the integration of culture.

In 2020, the Xiamen Torch Development Zone for High Technology Industries plans to attract more foreign investment from Europe, Japan, South Korea and Singapore and large-scale Chinese companies in need of overseas expansion to set up regional headquarters in Xiamen.