Fujian province will slow the pace of economic growth while focusing on the upgrading and transformation of development modes and economic structures, said provincial Party chief You Quan on March 8, Sunday.

“Blindly pursuing double-digit growth is unrealistic and unnecessary. Fujian will adapt to the new economic pace with higher quality, better efficiency and in a better environment,” he said on the sidelines of the 12th National People’s Congress.

Fujian achieved a 9.9 percent year-on-year increase in gross domestic production (GDP) in 2014, with per capita GDP exceeding $10,000 for the first time. You said GDP growth for this year will be about 10 percent compared with the national goal of 7.3 percent.

To realize the goal, Fujian will accelerate adjustment of industrial structures by ditching industries which waste resources and pollute the environment while promoting greener ones and boosting investment, exporting and consumption. It will also encourage innovation and balanced development between urban and rural areas, said You.

With outdated industries gradually disappearing, new opportunities are arising in the province, with the two most important ones being the establishment of a pilot free trade zone (FTZ) and a core area on the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road.

The Fujian FTZ will explore innovation in work mechanism by simplifying measures in investment, trade, customs clearance, shipping and financial services, improving business climate and highlighting communication and cooperation with Taiwan, said You.

The FTZ is off to a terrific start. You noted that there are 673 enterprises in three sections of the Fujian FTZ in cities of Fuzhou, Xiamen and Pingtan, with 779 projects and an accrued investment of $8.8 billion as of Sunday.

As the core area of the modern maritime road, Fujian will increase trade with other countries and push for cooperation and personnel exchanges. Export and import numbers are expected to soar with more enterprises appearing in international markets.