Taiwan Businessmen in Pingtan Talk about the“31 Articles” that Benefit Them—the Market Is Here, It’s Easy to Flourish
"In Pingtan, as long as it is a technology-based enterprise, regardless of the source of capital, it will be subsidized." When Chen Mengbang, a businessman from Taiwan, said the many measures of the 31 articles had been tried and implemented in Pingtan, and businessmen from Taiwan had been continuously given equal treatment when he was talking about policies in "31 articles" that benefit Taiwan compatriots.
Chen Mengbang first came to the mainland in 2001. After several turnovers, he came to Pingtan in 2010 and founded Zongren Technology (Pingtan) Co., Ltd. in 2015. He believes that starting a business in Pingtan is not as difficult as imagined. There are many “generally preferential” policies that are aimed at Taiwan capital based and mainland capital based enterprises. These policies and measures can help enterprises to take root and develop better.
"The policy here is really very good. We are like land-based enterprises. As long as the government can be helpful, they will give some support." Chen Mengbang recalled that Zongren Technology Co., Ltd. was assessed as a Pingtan Technologic Type Small and Medium Enterpirse in November 2016. In December of the same year, it was assessed as a Pingtan Intellectual Property Pilot Enterprise; in August 2017, it was given the title of Science and Technology Enterprise of Fujian Province.
Chen Mengbang introduced the application of Science and Technology Enterprises of Fujian Province as an example. In May 2017, he learned that the application for the Science and Technology Enterprises of Fujian Province requires the following conditions: a resident enterprise registered in Fujian Province for more than one year according to law; there is major responsibility accidents in safety in production or environmental pollution in the past three years; owning production and operation sites and facilities that are compatible with the scale of business; investing more than 100,000 yuan in research and development funds in the previous year. Chen Mengbang’s enterprise meets all the conditions for the application. He immediately prepared the relevant materials and certificates, submitted an application to the Pingtan Comprehensive Experimental Zone Social Affairs Bureau and submitted the materials to the Pingtan Comprehensive Experimental Zone Social Enterprise Bureau, and successfully given the tile of Science and Technology Enterprise of Fujian Province. "It is a common economic activity. The materials required of Taiwan-funded and mainland-funded enterprises are the same, which has actually showed that indeed Taiwan-funded enterprises are receiving the 'equal treatment' ". Chen Mengbang said.
Chen Mengbang said that the "equal treatment" that was being received is not limited to this. Last year, in order to carry out research and development tests on products, the company purchased a batch of equipment, and under the guidance of the special-duty staff of Pingtan Taxation Bureau, the company was also given relevant subsidies such as refund of value-added tax on purchased equipment by providing special VAT invoices for purchased goods. In addition, Pingtan also has related preferential policies such as subsidies for expenditure on instruments of research and development and preferential policies such as innovation vouchers etc.
These policies made Chen Mengbang both gratified and happy. As a leader of a technology-based enterprise, in the "31" Huitai measures, Chen Mengbang is most concerned about the measures like giving subsidies to major R&D institutions of Taiwan-funded enterprises for purchasing instruments for R&D. "These policies have a great impact on us. While saving on the purchase of equipment, we can also purchase more equipment. This not only helps us to achieve the company's research and development progress, but also contributes greatly to the long-term development of the company."
In addition to the “equal treatment” enjoyed by the enterprise, in 2014, Chen Mengbang personally won the “100 Talents Program” Enterprise Innovation Talent Award in Fujian Province and won a prize of 1 million yuan. Chen Mengbang recalled that at that time, for applying for the tile of innovative talents, the candidates must be those who came to work or provide service after January 1, 2014; graduates with a master's degree or above; under 55 years of age, and should continue to work or provide service for no less than 3 years after being selected. The materials that required to be submitted during the application process included: “100 Talents Program” application, attachments, and other personal information forms. The annex included: a copy of the highest academic degree certificate, a Taiwan compatriot certificate, copies of the main achievements (patent certificate, product certificate, etc.) or certification materials, and other certification materials etc.
In addition, Chen Mengbang said that he also received a living allowance, a settlement allowance, etc., to help him integrate into life faster and better. Finally, when talking about the strongest feeling of life and development in Pingtan, Chen Mengbang said: “The soil in Pingtan is very fertile, and the market is here, so it is easy to thrive.”
