The construction industry in Shanxi province has grown rapidly in the past five years with total output value reaching 1.59 trillion yuan ($251.15 billion), year-on-year growth of 6.4 percent, according to Shanxi Department of Housing and Urban-Rural Development.

The added value of the province’s construction industry during the period amounted to 436.3 billion yuan, up 5 percent year on year and accounting for over 6 percent of Shanxi’s GDP.

During the five years, Shanxi strengthened policy support and optimized the development environment for the industry, supported competitive construction companies, advanced partnerships between provincial State-owned enterprises and SOEs led by the central government, and expanded its market beyond the province.

The number of special grade construction companies has increased from five to 20, ranking from the 20th in China to the 11th.

In addition, Shanxi has drawn up and conducted 77 technical standards for the local construction industry in the five-year period, and improved quality and safety management of engineering to decrease accidents in construction projects.