East China's economic powerhouse of Shanghai is planning to build 40 to 50 research and development (R&D) centers in the next two years to sharpen the municipality's edge in the new high-tech industry.
Zhu Jiping, director of the Shanghai Municipal Science and Technology Commission, said these centers will be built around 15 technical platforms involving the design of integrated circuit, bio-information, drug preparation and electronic government administration.
Other R&D spheres include micro-electronics, optical electronics, computer software, bio-pharmacy, environmental protection, medical care, new material, new energy development, laser techniques and modern farming techniques.
The primary focus of this year, Zhu said, will be put on the attraction of multinationals to build such centers. Overseas enterprises, once having set up R&D institutions in Shanghai, willbe granted preferences in recruiting skilled professionals and receive financial support in their start-up fund.
To date, more than 80 foreign-invested enterprises have established research institutions in Shanghai.
(Xinhua News Agency February 10, 2003)
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