Local entrepreneurs attend a meeting in Zhangjiagang, Suzhou, Jiangsu province. [Photo/zjgonline.com.cn]

A meeting of representatives of local companies that are either engaged in sci-tech innovation industries, recently listed on the stock market, or paid more than 50 million yuan in taxes in 2021, was held in Zhangjiagang, a county-level city in Suzhou, East China's Jiangsu province on Jan 20.

Companies in Zhangjiagang achieved remarkable growth in 2021, said Han Wei, secretary of the CPC Zhangjiagang Municipal Committee in his speech. The city's tax revenue totaled nearly 28 billion yuan ($4.42 billion) last year, and 132 companies paid more than 50 million yuan in taxes. In addition, eight enterprises in Zhangjiagang went public in 2021. All these figures were record highs, according to Han.

Local companies should make the most of favorable policies such as tax reductions to promote innovation and accelerate their digital and intelligent transitions, said Han. He added that companies should also take on social responsibilities in terms of safe production, green development, as well as COVID-19 prevention and control.

The Zhangjiagang government will continue to improve its business environment and administrative services and introduce more preferential policies to help with the development of companies, according to Han.

A number of companies and entrepreneurs that have made significant contributions to the city's social and economic development were awarded at the meeting.