Workers get busy at a plant operated by Zhongtian Technology Group. [Photo/Sipa]

Private enterprises in Nantong, East China's Jiangsu province reported stable growth in 2019, according to information released at a news conference by the city's federation of industry and commerce on Dec 20.

A total of 13 Nantong-based private companies were included on a list of China's top 500 private enterprises for 2019, while 17 made Jiangsu's top 100 list.

The top five private enterprises in Nantong were Zhongnan Group, Jiangsu Nantong No 3 Construction Engineering Group, Jiangsu Nantong No 2 Construction Engineering (Group) Co, Jiangsu Suzhong Construction Group Co and Zhongtian Technology Group.

Officials said that notably, the top four are engaged in the construction industry. The first two have earned more than 100 billion yuan ($14.26 billion) each, while the other three have earned more than 50 billion yuan each.

They said the achievements partly resulted from a series of innovative services offered by the local government, which included promoting bank-enterprise cooperation and tax cuts.

Local commerce chambers also held regular activities to offer free legal advice and interpretation of policies.

The federation said it would strengthen ties with government departments to provide more services to the private sector and boost the high-quality development of the city's private economy.