A woman on behalf of a local firm inquires about business registration from an official at a service center. The center is part of the district’s “zero distance” reform plan to improve the business environment amid its efforts to construct the G60 Science and Technology Innovation Valley of industrial clusters.

Songjiang is sparing no efforts to construct its G60 Science and Technology Innovation Valley of industrial clusters with higher administration efficiency and full government support, said Cheng Xiangmin, Party secretary of Songjiang District.

The press conference on the overall industrial clusters appraisal reform plan was held in Songjiang last month.

To promote the “zero distance” reform plan, government and officials should “streamline administration and delegate power,” “handle office work online” and “serve entrepreneurs sincerely like an inn waiter does to his customers,” said Cheng.

Specifically, the government is going to set up an online approval system to achieve justice and efficiency, Cheng said.

Officials should also be problem-oriented, need-oriented and consequence-oriented.

Songjiang has achieved gains in building up the G60 high-tech valley.

The district attracted projects each worth tens of billions of yuan with advanced manufacturers such as Tush Holdings, Chint Electric, Hair, Pharmaceutical Group, Shanghai Advanced Silicon and NEVS.

Through the “zero distance” reform plan, Cheng urged government and officials to improve ties with businesspeople.

Cheng also called on officials at all levels to adopt a down-to-earth working spirit and overcome obstacles.

A reform committee has already been established to supervise the “zero distance” approval system and various governmental organizations should both unite and fulfill each one’s duty, Cheng said.

How each organization implements the plan will also be performance-based, according to Cheng. A final score will be given based on the response and profits gained by enterprises and market participants. It will also be connected with the construction achievements of the G60 high-tech valley.

The reform plan lists eight new measures, such as setting up comprehensive appraisal centers, streamline and improve appraisal processes, deepen online governmental administration services and many others.

“Representatives from enterprises used to line up for hours in different government departments to get administrative approvals, but now all things can be completed at one stop,” said Wu Jiangtian, deputy chief of Songjiang’s administration examining and approval reform office.

When the plan is carried out, the minimum period for a company to obtain a construction permit is 15 working days, compared to the original 38 days promised and at least three months in practice.

“As an enterprise headquartered in Songjiang for many years, we feel really excited at the appraisal reform plan,” said Chen Chengjian, vice chairman of Chint Group.

“We used to be frustrated about the lack of electric power and the time cost when seeking an additional input. Now since a service center is soon to be established, the efficiency will surely be improved,” said Meng Qinghong from Shanghai Baolong Automotive Corp.

An expressway from Shanghai in east China to Kunming City of Yunnan Province in the southwest, the G60 is the base of G60 high-tech Valley that connects Songjiang with Jiaxing and Hangzhou cities in Zhejiang Province.