THE city’s brand economy has developed well in recent years. More preferential policies and support will be given to the blue economy, advanced manufacturing industry and new industry, letting them help upgrade the city’s international image. More brands Qingdao is a “city of brands.” At present, there are 68 Chinese Famous Brands, 52 Well-known Trademarks of China, 354 Shandong Province’s Famous Products, 303 Shandong Province’s Famous Trademarks, 483 Qingdao Famous Brands and 265 Qingdao Famous Trademarks. The city’s brand economy accounts for about 45 percent of the total GDP and will be upgraded to a new level with the development of the blue economy. Qingdao will incubate a batch of famous companies and products in five years and let more small and medium-sized enterprises establish their brands. More than 40 percent of the new brands will be related to the blue economy and new industry. In 2016, there will be more than 2,000 city-level famous brands and trademarks. Key areas The West Coast Economic New Zone and the Blue Valley will be key areas in which “blue brands” are promoted which will cover the ship building and marine engineering, automobile, petrochemical and nuclear equipment areas. There will also be modern service brands such as harbor logistics, harbor service, international trade, special research and development and information exchange. Special focus will be given to leading “blue brands” and “blue products,” making Qingdao a leading city in the blue economy. Brands in new-generation information technology, advanced manufacturing, new materials, new energy, biological medicine and energy saving will also be promoted. Management center Qingdao will soon establish a brand management center, helping incubate new companies and brands. It will also encourage leading companies to help old brands transform and upgrade. Preferential policies will also be given to companies and a special fund will be set up to incubate famous brands.(Wang Yuanyuan, Lin Gang) | 