The great potential of the Beijing Economic and Technological Development Area (hereinafter referred to as "Beijing E-Town") has attracted numerous foreign companies. Following the establishment of regional or R&D headquarters by AstraZeneca plc, GE Healthcare, and Pony.ai, SMC Corporation, a leading pneumatics company dedicated to factory automation, has also announced the opening of its China headquarters in the Beijing E-Town.

A world-renowned pneumatic component R&D manufacturer, SMC Corporation's products are widely used in fields that involve automated production and are therefore considered an indispensable force for providing components for industrial automation in the entire manufacturing industry.

Ma Qinghai, the general manager of SMC China, said the establishment of SMC Investment Management China Co., Ltd., which will oversee the management of the company's Chinese headquarters, is the first overseas regional headquarters established by SMC outside of Japan. In the future, the Chinese headquarters will be responsible for the management and operation of investment, manufacturing, R&D, and sales of its five corporate companies in China.

The increasingly optimized business environment of Beijing E-Town has provided many investment opportunities for foreign investors. Since Beijing has put more effort into building the China (Beijing) Pilot Free Trade Zone, more development opportunities have now arisen in the high-end manufacturing industry. 

Since Beijing E-Town was listed last September as the China (Beijing) Pilot Free Trade Zone high-end industrial area, favorable policies have multiplied, giving full play to Beijing E-Town and its competitive edge. Beijing E-Town is now exploring to develop high-precision industries and form an innovation pattern driven by both industry and industrial parks.

Last year, Beijing E-Town strengthened services for foreign-funded enterprises by encouraging them to increase investment and production. According to preliminary statistics, the utilization of foreign capital in the region totaled US$620 million in 2020, an increase of 11% year-on-year.

The business environment has been improving steadily, thanks in part to the delegation of several municipal-level administrative items to Yizhuang district and a reduction in construction permit approval to just one hour.

According to Ma, these favorable policies combined with ongoing efforts by Beijing to build a comprehensive demonstration zone for further open up the service sector and a pilot free trade zone, mean that Beijing E-Town's business environment provides a competitive edge for foreign companies to develop.

In the future, Beijing E-Town plans to attract more industry-leading companies, hidden champions, and unicorn companies. It will also strengthen communication with international institutions in China as well as between Chinese and foreign chambers of commerce.

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