Suzhou steps up opening-up drive

At the conference, the city unveiled a package of "1+9" action plans to further advance opening-up, comprising an overarching development blueprint and nine initiatives across trade, investment and platform development. The measures aim to help businesses reduce costs, secure orders, explore markets and strengthen their competitiveness.

The overarching blueprint, the Suzhou Development Plan for Open Economy during the 15th Five-Year Plan Period (2026-30), sets out 17 targets based on five priorities: building a leading trade city, strengthening Suzhou's role as a foreign investment hub, supporting enterprises' global expansion, upgrading opening-up platforms and improving the local business environment.