Senior officials from Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei kicked off the association. [Photo by Tian Yanjun/China Daily]

Thirteen national economic and technological development zones in Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei signed an agreement to found the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei Development Zone Innovative Development Association.

The association, led by China Association of Development Zones, is dedicated to pushing regional economic integration with development zones as foreunner, under the principle “The government guides, the market leads”.

It will set up its secretariat in the Beijing Economic-technological Development Area.

“We are determined to facilitate the industry tie-in in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region,” said Gao Yanjie, vice director of Beijing Economic-technological Development Area, “we will be the main force of the integration process.”

Gao said the association will pool resources, avoid needless competition, and enhance the economic competitiveness of Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region.

Beijing Economic-technological Development Area will establish platforms for industrial promotion, enterprise service and entrepreneurship, Gao said.

The development area will also provide online and offline services for innovation including a brick-and-mortar service center, website and research center, according to Gao.

“We will contribute 5 billion yuan to the founding of the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei Innovative Development Fund,” Gao said, and “raise 200 million yuan each year to introduce and cultivate talent for development zones in Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region.”