UETD history
The Urumqi Economic and Technological Development Zone (Toutunhe District), or UETD, was founded in 1992 based on the policy and a decision by China's central government, the State Council, the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region and the Urumqi Municipal Government. In 1994, the zone was listed as one of the national economic development zones by the State Council. A national export processing zone (EPZ) was approved by the State Council to be established in the development zone. The Xinjiang Uygur Municipal CPC Committee and the Urumqi Municipal Government decided to make Toutunhe district of Urumqi an economic development zone in January 2011.
Established in 1961, Toutunhe is an important industrial district of Urumqi. The 480-square kilometer district is located in the northwest region of Urumqi. It features the Nanshan Mountain Pasture area measuring 100 square kilometers.
By the end of 2016, there were 320,000 people living in 84 separate communities in the economic development zone.
UETD's leapfrog development
The Urumqi Economic and Technological Development Zone has entered an era of rapid economic development.
By the end of 2016, there were 588 major companies in the zone, including 122 large-sized companies, 20 foreign-owned companies and 13 listed companies. In addition, 18 of UETD’s companies have entered the Fortune Global 500 list.
The metallurgical industry, wind power industry, and the food and drinks industry have become UETD’s three pillar industries.
Development plans for 2017 have now been released, and the district is expected to make progress on constructing an innovation pilot zone this year, promoting further transformation and upgrading of the area’s economic structure.