Shanghai Daily News

Jinshan Industrial Zone is now becoming much more attractive after two years of operations. During these two years, there have been numerous upgrades covering technology and staff facilities. The industrial zone is also set to focus on more professional training this year.

"Compared to other industry zones, Jinshan Industrial Zone is newly established and it can learn some lessons from the older ones," said Sun Yinliang, vice president of The Administration Department of Jinshan Industrial Zone. "The most important thing for our development is to assemble as many talented people as possible to work for the industry. Professional workers are the most important factor to our success."

Sun explained that all the staff should have training before beginning work.

This year, 10,000 workers will be encouraged to take part in professional training for three to six months. After the training, they will take a test and those who pass will receive a certificate from the government.

The industrial zone will cooperate with petrochemical schools and the East China University of Science & Technology for training. Sun said that staff training will be used for incoming workers to make them more professional.

Jinshan Industrial Zone was established two years ago. It is located in south-west Shanghai, near Zhejiang Province, and is a one and a half hour trip from Ningbo and Hangzhou. There are five express ways across Jinshan District to other districts and provinces. The convenient transport and good environment make it popular among investors.

Projects at the industrial zone include machinery, biological projects and research into new kinds of materials. Some companies from America, Germany and Japan are also set to establish branches in Jinshan Industrial Zone.

At present, 60 enterprises have already agreed to establish branches within the industrial zone. Among them, 28 enterprises have begun shifting into the industrial zone and another 25 projects are set to begin this year.

Sun said that the industrial zone is designed to separate factory sites from workers' residential communities. Workers will be placed in a large community with good facilities and convenient transport.

The first residential community in Jinshan Industrial Zone, which covers 60 hectares of the northern part of the zone, is expected to be finished in August this year.

The first phase of the project has 12 apartment buildings which will house more than 30,000 workers.

The upgraded facilities should make the workers' communities attractive places to live. The communities will contain greenbelts, supermarkets and convenience stores. Restaurants, coffee shops, tennis courts and shopping malls will also be made available for the workers to attend in their spare time.