Region's administrators cut down on business-licensing bureaucracy

Since the beginning of this year, investors and entrepreneurs wanting to start a business in Harbin New Area are able to enjoy streamlined administrative procedures and more efficient services from the local government.

The administrative committee of the new area in Heilongjiang's capital city of Harbin announced in January that it will adopt a "construction upon licensing" mode for entrepreneurs who apply to the local government for business registration.

According to the administrative committee, the mode allows investment projects to start construction several days after filing applications and the chance to quickly settle in their new areas. Previously, entrepreneurs were required to take more than 100 days to go through complicated procedures, obtain a license and a number of certificates before they started construction on their projects.

According to the administrative committee's officials, it now takes only a few days of appraisal for entrepreneurs to receive a business license, which means construction can begin while procedures are underway for granting other certificates and approvals.

Officials said such efficiency even takes a lead across the nation, and five investment projects in the Science and Technology Innovation City in Harbin New Area are among the new program's first beneficiaries.

The reform in administrative services also include a "one-stop shop" at the new area, where applications for business startups can be handled with one stamp from the new area's administrative committee. It is no longer necessary for businesses to obtain permissions and certificates from the city and even provincial governments, according to local officials.

This is the result of an agreement between Harbin New Area's administrative committee and the provincial business administration in January, with the latter giving more autonomy to the former.

In addition to improved efficiency in administrative efficiency, the new area's government also offers tracking services for local enterprises, keeping a close eye on the planning, construction and operation of their projects while helping solve problems, local officials said.