Economic Daily:

A conducive business environment serves as a crucial foundation for achieving high-quality development. In recent years, Shaanxi has made efforts centering on streamlining the business registration process and improving tax services. What additional experience and measures has Shaanxi implemented in terms of improving the business environment?

Zhao Gang:

I would like to invite Mr. Wang Xiao to answer this question.

Wang Xiao:

Thank you for your question. As you mentioned, Shaanxi has conducted the Year of Business Environment Improvement campaign for two consecutive years, implementing a series of reform measures that are targeted, effective and replicable. These efforts aim to create a business environment with efficient administrative services, market-oriented policies, stronger productive factors, a more predictable legal system, and a cordial and clean government-business relationship. A total of 37 practices have been recognized and promoted at the national level, and two exemplary practices have been commended by the General Office of the State Council.

In terms of improving efficiency, we have focused on various fields and aspects of business operations and entrepreneurship for enterprises and the public. We have made efforts in multiple aspects such as reducing time, optimizing processes and standardizing procedures. As a result, business registration can now be completed within one working day, property registration time has been reduced to 2.5 working days, 396 administrative services can be processed provincewide, and 156 services can be handled across provinces. Additionally, we have introduced services such as "project stewards" to help or act for enterprises in dealing with administrative procedures, supporting their innovative development. 

In terms of stimulating business vitality, we have established a platform to collect information on market access barriers and have strictly enforced the negative list for market access. We hold government-business consultation meetings at various levels every month, carry out actions to remove obstacles to policy implementation and provide special financing services, continuously work to clear overdue payments to enterprises, and strive to address difficulties in accessing policy support, obtaining financing services and credit enhancements, and handling administrative procedures. These efforts aim to let enterprises make investment and operate and develop businesses confidently, without being distracted or disturbed. In 2023, the province registered 990,600 new business entities, an increase of 20.56%, with business vitality continuing to rise.

In terms of optimizing service regulation, we have established and improved mechanisms for connecting and serving private enterprises. We actively seek input from businesses on the front lines of production and project construction and explore the implementation of a service-oriented law enforcement model in market regulation. We have launched a one-stop service platform for Shaanxi enterprises, proactively promoting favorable policies to directly benefit enterprises, which has been widely welcomed by business entities.

In terms facilitating trade and investment, we have emphasized leveraging the pioneering role of the pilot free trade zone, accelerating the development of efficient, cost-effective and high-quality international trade channels. We have also been creating a demonstration zone for international commercial legal services under the BRI. The China-Europe Railway Express (Xi'an) has ranked first in the country in key indicators such as the number of trains, freight volume and proportion of loaded containers. International goods have been able to be picked up and loaded immediately 24 hours a day, resulting in a 30% reduction in logistics costs. By 2023, we had established air routes with all five Central Asian countries, leading to a 2.2-fold increase in exports to Central Asia.

Next, we will further prioritize proactive government efforts to drive market efficiency, and foster a first-class business environment to support high-quality development and modernization.

Thank you.