A promotion event held to boost Ninghe investment. [Photo by Wang Zhiyi/China Daily]

On April 9, representatives of 58 companies joined with authorities of Ninghe district in Tianjin to explore and nail down development opportunities in the area.

Eight investment agreements were reached during the conference at a total investment of 1.39 billion yuan($212.3 million). Six investment ambassadors were also nominated to promote further negotiation.

"With the entrepreneurs being insightful, determined and passionate, and the Ninghe district government providing all-sided supporting services, we believe the success of our cooperation is inevitable," said Shan Zefeng, deputy head of the district.

Investors' choices are justified by the area's sound ecology resources and strong technological momentum.

Its Qilihai Wetland Natural Reserve, an important part of the ancient coastal shores, with wide water area, luxuriant vegetation and fresh air, is not only home to various wildlife, but also plays an role in resisting drought and improving the ecological environment of Tianjin and its surrounding areas.

Tianjin Future Science and Technology City is one of the four future science and technology cities in the country and has become an important engine for the high-quality development of the district.

YingLi Solar, one of world's largest solar panel manufacturers, started their business in Ninghe a decade ago. It reached a contract at the ceremony for a new project with a potential output of three gigawatts.

A photo of Qilihai Wetland Natural Reserve

The company has witnessed improvements in all aspects and is satisfied with the area's advantageous location, policies and human resources, said Bai Yin, the new energy resources company's manager of business management. Besides enhancing energy security and diversification, YingLi also plans to recruit nearly a thousand new local workers.

Feng Xiaoqing, deputy head of the district's commission of commerce, said most companies attending the event are active in Hi-Tech industries, which would help development of second and third tier industries while maintaining the first.

"We will continue to take the advantage of our predominance in ecology, transportation and carrier ability to fully develop industries including new resources, medical and high-end equipment manufacturing in the opening year of the Fourteenth Five-Year Plan," Feng said.

Based on the national strategy of promoting the coordinated development of Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei, Ninghe is emerging as an artificial intelligence industrial base and a future science and a technology city.