Qingdao FTZ becomes high-level export-oriented hub

On Feb 6, the Qingdao Free Trade Zone welcomed its first foreign-invested enterprise after the 2025 Spring Festival, successfully issuing its business license. This marks a strong start to the Year of the Snake for foreign investment and highlights the region's ongoing efforts to optimize its business environment.

The Qingdao Free Trade Zone issues a business license to a foreign-invested enterprise. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Qingdao New City Biotechnology Co, a domestic enterprise that later transitioned to foreign-invested status, brought in American investors to enhance its equity structure, improve market access, and boost competitiveness.

To support such transitions, the zone offered a green channel with tailored guidance, ensuring businesses can complete the process quickly. Staff even worked overtime to expedite document reviews and license issuance.

Mr. Li, head of Qingdao New City Biotechnology Co, praised the professionalism and efficiency of government departments, saying they made the company's international expansion possible.

In January 2025, the zone saw the emergence of 356 new enterprises, a 19.87 percent year-on-year increase, bringing the total to 36,074, up 3.73 percent. The zone remains focused on reform and innovation, providing high-quality services to foster further growth and contributing to the city's high-quality economic and social development.