High-tech talent to drive Ningbo's growth

Ningbo, in East China's Zhejiang province, is looking to strengthen its economic development by attracting innovative projects and high-tech experts from home and abroad via the upcoming Ningbo Week of Talent, Science and Technology, which runs from Oct 10 to 14.

The five-day event will provide high-tech prospects hoping to work in the city with more than 7,800 job opportunities. About 300 of the jobs offer annual salaries that range from 150,000 yuan ($23,540) to 800,000 yuan.

The forum will allow 4,000 companies and more than 6,000 high-tech jobseekers to gather and discuss details.

There will be 20 activities, including job fairs for different categories of talent, startup competitions for various industries, a talent development forum, and scientific and technological program cooperation fairs.

Meanwhile, more than 700 scientific and technological developments will be on show as their originators vie for industrialization and commercialization funding.

This year's event is expected to provide a new driving force for the city's development under China's Belt and Road Initiative, and help the city achieve its ambition of becoming a major trade and economic hub.

First held in 2006, the event plays an important role in the city's talent recruitment strategy, and talented individuals, research centers and universities from more than 30 countries and regions have participated.

More than 280,000 people have participated in the nine years since the annual event began. About 24,000 people have settled in the city as a result of attending the talent week, and 200 high-end research centers have been founded via it.

Attractive to investors

With a history of 1,200 years, Ningbo was one of the first Chinese trading cities to be opened to foreign trade, and its high levels of outbound trade and economic performance make it one of the most investment-attractive cities in the country.

It is also among China's top 10 cities in terms of competitiveness and development. In recent years, the city has attached great importance to innovation, especially by inviting high-tech talent to participate in a range of innovative projects.

By the end of last year, 1.73 million high-tech talents - including 1,066 engineers from overseas - had chosen to work in Ningbo, an increase of 59.4 percent from the end of 2011. They have made a huge contribution to the city's growth.

To attract a greater number of talented individuals, the city has launched a 25-article preferential policy, which indicates the municipal government's strong desire to boost the spread of available talent.

The new policy will grant funds of up to 100 million yuan for key projects, while startups with good potential can benefit from a 5 million yuan fund. A whole raft of services, including housing, education and healthcare, will be improved to attract more people to the city.

As Mayor Lu Ziyue put it, talent will be the main driving force behind the development of the city's high-tech sector.

Ningbo is determined to ofer the best deals available to attract the right people, and last year it spent 514 million yuan on projects to attract the right talent and provide an inspiring living environment.

Major events

Sept 25

China Science Technology Business Plan Competition

Ningbo Innovation Center

Oct 9

Ningbo "3315 Plan" Overseas (San Diego) Plan Competition

Howard Johnson IFC Plaza Ningbo

Oct 10

Conference of Startup Policies and Environment for Overseas Talents

Howard Johnson IFC Plaza Ningbo

Oct 11

Signing ceremony of Ningbo Week of Talent, Science and Technology

Pan Pacific Ningbo

Matchmaking Conference to Introduce High-level Talents

Ningbo International Convention and Exhibition Center

Conference for Technological programs of Overseas Talents and Local Industries

Ningbo International Convention and Exhibition Center

Trading conference for Ningbo High-tech achievements

Ningbo International Convention and Exhibition Center

The Fifth College-Company Talents Cooperation Conference

Ningbo International Convention and Exhibition Center

The Second "Talent versus Fortune" Symposium

Ningbo Television Station

Oct 12

2015 China (Ningbo) Talents Development and Policy Innovation Forum

Pan Pacific Ningbo

Oct 13

2015 China (Ningbo) Angel Investment Forum

Sheraton Hotel Ningbo

Oct 14

Ceremony of 2015 Dark Horse Competition

InterContinental Hotel Ningbo

yanyiqi@chinadaily.com.cn

(China Daily 09/24/2015 page14)