Jiangsu Yonggang Group, an iron and steel manufacturer based in the county-level city of Zhangjiagang – administered by Suzhou in East China's Jiangsu province – signed an agreement on Aug 16 to set up a science and technology center with the Zhangjiagang High-tech Industrial Development Zone.

A signing ceremony takes place between Jiangsu Yonggang Group and the Zhangjiagang High-tech Industrial Development Zone on Aug 16. [Photo/WeChat account: zhangjiagangfabu365]

Under the agreement, the science and technology center will cover a site of 17 mu (1.13 hectares) and involve a total investment of 500 million yuan ($77.2 million). It will include a research institute – which will mainly engage in developing green manufacturing welding technology – and a public technology service platform for welding technology.

It is expected to hire and train top-flight welding technicians, operate cutting-edge welding materials and technologies, improve the international competitiveness of domestic welding and provide support for high-end manufacturing.

Pan Guoqiang, Party secretary of Zhangjiagang, gives a keynote speech at the signing ceremony. [Photo/WeChat account: zhangjiagangfabu365]

Pan Guoqiang, Party secretary of Zhangjiagang, said his city was fostering advanced manufacturing clusters and helping to establish five industry clusters featuring new metallurgical materials. Pan urged Yonggang to take the opportunity to focus on innovation and to develop new metallurgical materials industry supply chains.

The Zhangjiagang municipal government for its part would improve the investment environment and provide efficient government services, in a bid to join forces with all businesses to build an innovative city, Pan added.