Zhang Yu

JeniZhang13@163.com

SHENZHEN will target a GDP growth of 6% this year as the city accelerates its pace to become a globally influential economic center and a modern international metropolis.

Mayor Qin Weizhong made the announcement as he delivered a government work report at the opening meeting of the annual session of the city’s legislature at the Civic Center in Futian District yesterday.

Other main targets for this year’s socioeconomic development include a 6% growth in the city’s general public budget revenue, the added value of industrial enterprises above designated size — meaning industrial firms with an annual business turnover of at least 20 million yuan (US$2.94 million)  — growing by more than 6%, and controlling inflation at about 3%.

The city also aims to increase its R&D expenditure by over 8%, create 180,000 new jobs and see a steady growth in residents’ per capita disposable income.

According to the report, the real economy will be a key priority for Shenzhen’s economic development. It will speed up building a globally leading and important advanced manufacturing center.

The city’s industrial investment throughout the year is expected to exceed 200 billion yuan, up 20% over last year. The added value of strategic emerging industries, which takes up a significant share of the city’s GDP, is forecast to hit 1.4 trillion yuan this year.

The city will boost modern service industries including finance, R&D and design, and aim to develop 20 advanced manufacturing parks with high standards and add 20 million square meters of low-cost, quality and customized industrial spaces, as per the report.(Continued on P3)