Jinan sets socioeconomic goals for 2024

The main targets for the economic and social development of Jinan in 2024 were announced during the third session of the 18th Jinan Municipal People's Congress, which opened on Jan 10.

The targets include achieving a GDP growth of over 5.5 percent, registering an increase of over 7 percent in value-added industrial output of enterprises above a designated size, achieving a growth of over 5 percent in total retail sales of consumer goods, achieving a growth of around 5.5 percent and over 6.5 percent in per capita disposable income of urban and rural residents respectively, meeting Shandong province's mandatory targets for energy conservation, emission reduction, carbon reduction, and environmental quality improvement.

To achieve the development targets, Jinan will focus on 12 key areas, including deepening project construction, expanding domestic demand, and stabilizing external demand.

Jinan will also focus on enhancing project planning and project quality. The city is aiming to invest in more than 20 projects worth more than 5 billion yuan ($700.43 million) each, and seven projects worth more than 10 billion yuan each.

In addition, the city is planning to provide support to over 800 advanced manufacturing projects, over 600 modern service industry projects, and more than 350 projects in transportation, water conservancy, energy, and new infrastructure development.

Jinan will take steps to drive digital industrialization and focus on enhancing the development of the high-end software industry. Efforts will be made to establish 100 provincial-level software engineering and technology centers and generate a software industry revenue of over 570 billion yuan.

Jinan will also enhance consumer facilities and promote the digitalization of smart business districts. Over 60 renowned flagship stores, brand stores, and first stores will be introduced, while 30 15-minute living circles will be built or renovated.

In addition, Jinan will bolster efforts to form business groups to participate in overseas markets. It will also make good use of high-end platforms such as the Canton Fair, the China International Import Expo (CIIE), and the China International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS) to assist foreign trade enterprises in securing orders and expanding their market presence.