A production workshop in Rugao, Nantong, Jiangsu. [Photo/WeChat account: rugaofabu]

Rugao signed agreements for 38 major industrial projects from January to August, with the number of foreign-invested projects reaching the annual target ahead of schedule.

In the first half of the year, the city launched construction on 29 industrial projects worth over 100 million yuan (about $14 million) each and brought 13 projects into production. For 25 completed projects, the average construction period was cut by half.

Sieyuan Electric, a leading power technology R&D, equipment manufacturing, and engineering service company in China, has deepened its presence in Rugao since first investing in the city in 2002. To date, it has invested in six companies locally. Beyond its existing plants and new projects, the company started construction in March on a 2.525-billion-yuan high-voltage sector relocation and testing center.

The testing center, which represents industry-leading standards, has already passed pre-approval and is expected to begin construction in the fourth quarter, further boosting Rugao's power equipment industry.

Meanwhile, Scania China has highlighted Rugao's supportive business environment. The world-leading commercial vehicle maker recently completed its third global production base in the city, building 800,000 square meters of factory buildings in just 16 months.

With an investment of over 10 billion yuan, the facility will begin production in the fourth quarter, with an annual capacity of 50,000 commercial vehicles.