Companies in Xiamen's Siming district have been fulfilling their roles as the "city's partners" to boost industrial development and improve the business environment, an official said during an exclusive interview with China Daily.

"The initiative of companies being the 'city's partners' has given local companies a louder voice in the reform and innovation of the district's business environment," said Lyu Lianchuan, director-general of the development and reform bureau of Siming district in Xiamen, which is located in East China's Fujian province.

For example, several gaming companies proposed that a gaming industry alliance be established and a gaming industrial park be built.

"The idea is inspiring and we made a detailed plan soon after receiving the proposals," Lyu said.

"The industrial park is set to be built in the Kaiyuan Innovation Community and has attracted many gaming companies from outside Xiamen to discuss cooperation," Lyu added.

Wang Huibin, vice-president of Meitu, a popular Chinese selfie application maker based in Siming district, told China Daily that Siming district has introduced a series of preferential policies in recent years for developing the software and information industry. This has enhanced companies' R&D investments and promoted their independent innovation.

Wu Yunjuan, general manager of Meiya Pico's brand center, noted that the company has received a lot of support from the local government in tax reduction, personnel recruitment and educational facilities, which enables them to attract more high-caliber personnel. Meiya Pico is a leading provider of digital forensic and cybersecurity products.

According to Jiang Shuai, director-general of Siming's commerce bureau, the district has targeted measures for different industries. For example, the supportive policies for the trade sector, which were introduced this year, include rewards and subsidies for key talents-' individual taxation.

When the local government goes above and beyond to make businesses feel at home, these businesses return the favor in their own unique ways, Jiang added.

"We have attracted many upstream and downstream partners to start operations in Siming," said Li Ling, vice-president of Anta Group.

Igor Lodeiro Zamarreno, VFX supervisor of Base Media, hailed Siming as "a really good place to grow businesses related to the movie industry, to games, to animation."

"Lots of studios keep coming and growing," he added.

Meiya Pico is also planning to build a new technological center in Siming district. According to Wu, the new center will focus on making technological breakthroughs in emerging industries such as newtype smart cities, big data and artificial intelligence.

"We will also work to help Siming become a model for industrial development in Xiamen and in Fujian－and if possible, across the country," Wu said.

Li Ling, vice-president of Anta Group, shares her views of Siming's business environment during an interview. LIN YUYANG/FOR CHINA DAILY

Wang Huibin, vice-president of Meitu, explains the company's development plan in Siming district to media. LIN YUYANG/FOR CHINA DAILY

Igor Lodeiro Zamarreno, VFX supervisor of Base Media, talks about the prospects of the movie and animation industry developing in Siming district. LIN YUYANG/FOR CHINA DAILY

?