Checkpoint Systems Jiangsu in Hai'an Economic and Technological Development Zone is a subsidiary of CCL Industries in Canada. [Photo/WeChat account: hafbwx]

In Hai'an Economic and Technological Development Zone, businesses often say that the local government is a crucial partner in their development.

For Checkpoint Systems Jiangsu, a wholly foreign-owned subsidiary of Canada's CCL Industries producing RFID tags since 2015, the numbers speak for themselves: in 2024, sales reached 1.07 billion yuan ($148.97 million). "This success is closely linked to the zone's consistent support over the years," said operations director Cheng Zhenhong.

That support was on full display last December, when an unexpected emergency threatened to halt production. On Dec 18, Checkpoint Systems received notice from its wastewater treatment provider to suspend discharges due to incoming water quality issues. For a company generating 150–200 metric tons of wastewater daily, a stoppage would have meant missed delivery deadlines.

That night, officials from the economic development bureau, along with environmental and water management staff, rushed to the site. An inspection revealed Checkpoint's discharges met all standards — the real culprit was a temporary equipment failure at the treatment plant.

An emergency plan was launched, using backup storage tanks while repairs were expedited. Within 48 hours, operations were back to normal, and the zone later facilitated a formal emergency discharge agreement between the parties to prevent future disruptions.

Regulatory speed is another hallmark of Hai'an's business environment. This summer, Checkpoint's hazardous chemicals business license was set to expire. Without the license, 55 metric tons of a byproduct produced daily could not be sold. In response, the local data bureau and development zone reviewed all 23 required application materials alongside the company, cutting the approval time from 45 days to just 18.

"These stories are just snapshots of how we work side-by-side with companies," said a zone official. "We don't just manage businesses — we grow with them."

The zone is now home to 137 enterprises with annual sales of over 100 million yuan, 186 high-tech enterprises, and more than 130 foreign-invested companies. In the first half of this year, industrial invoiced sales totaled 47.8 billion yuan.