The groundbreaking ceremony for the China-Arab States International Scientific Innovation Park took place in Chengmai, Hainan, on December 29. (Source: Hainan Daily)

The ground was officially broken on the China-Arab States International Scientific Innovation Park on December 29.

Located in Laocheng Science and Technology New City in Hainan's Chengmai County, the 33-hectare park, with a total investment of CNY 1.4 billion, is a key international cooperation initiative for China's southern island-province of Hainan, representing the fruition of an agreement signed on May 19 this year in Dubai. Construction of the park, which will encompass 500,000 square meters of space dedicated to cutting-edge sectors in China-Arab cooperation, including smart manufacturing, the digital economy, and big health, is being undertaken by Dubai's Royal Katie Group.

The park aligns with Chengmai's future industrial development model, which centers on integrating smart manufacturing and the digital economy. A range of high-tech enterprises are ready to establish operations in the park, which, once completed, will foster technology transfers and industrial chain coordination.

Through this project, Hainan aims to advance its transformation from a mere conduit and market to a wellspring of innovation and high-value-added hub, establishing a new benchmark for the high-quality development of the Belt and Road Initiative and industrial cooperation between China and the Arab states.

A bird's-eye rendering of the park. (Source: Hainan Daily)

The park aims to become a comprehensive service platform integrating production, sales, research, and exhibitions. Leveraging the geographic and resource advantages of the Middle East, as well as a network of over 300 buyers in the region, overseas firms will be invited to participate in procurement in the park. It will also offer a range of services to aid in-park enterprises' Middle East market expansion, including overseas market surveys, competitive analysis, certification, and matchmaking.

According to Li Dingzhou, deputy manager of investment operations at the China-Arab States International Scientific Innovation Park, the new initiative will capitalize on the combined allure of China-Arab cooperation and the Hainan Free Trade Port's policies, with many enterprises, including leading domestic and foreign firms, high-tech enterprises, and Shenzhen-based "specialized, refined, distinctive, and innovative" SMEs, having cemented their intention to establish a presence in the park.

Looking ahead, the park will continue to refine its policy, location, and resource advantages to become an open gateway and key bridge of industrial cooperation between the Hainan Free Trade Port and the Middle East.