The Longchuan Zone of the Yunnan Ruili Industrial Cooperation Park delivered an impressive set of results in the first half of 2026. Industrial output reached 1.743 billion yuan, marking a year-on-year increase of 13.8%, while investment funds attracted through industrial recruitment totaled 705 million yuan, a substantial jump of 93.15% compared to the same period last year.

Meanwhile, the import and export value passing through Zhangfeng Port amounted to 2.505 billion yuan, representing a robust annual growth rate of 59.74%. The Zone's party and administrative committees have focused on answering the critical question of attracting businesses, retaining them, and fostering their growth, effectively transforming the region from a mere transit point into a magnet for economic opportunity.

Strategic Chain-Based Recruitment Attracts Key Investors

Investment promotion in the Longchuan Zone is all about precision. By zeroing in on core industries, including textiles and apparel, sugar and yeast production, and value-added processing of import and export goods, the Zone has developed a detailed recruitment roadmap using a chain-based strategy. This targeted approach has enabled them to fill gaps and attract the right businesses.

Building on the strength of leading companies like Kaisiya and Dehong Zhengxin, the Zone has brought together a cluster of nine garment, textile, and related enterprises, laying the early groundwork for a full sericulture and silk industry chain. The successful introduction of the Fengqi Textile Printing and Dyeing project has also filled a critical link in the process chain, connecting weaving, printing and dyeing, and garment manufacturing.

Leveraging the two major industry anchors, the Jinghan Sugar Mill and Angel Yeast, a complete circular economy chain has taken shape, integrating the sugarcane field, sugar production, yeast manufacturing, and resource recycling. The numbers provide the clearest evidence of this success, with attracted funds up 93.15% year-on-year to 705 million yuan and 21 projects currently in the pipeline, representing a total investment of 5.155 billion yuan. The textile and garment sector generated 430 million yuan in output, up 21.9%, while sugar manufacturing contributed 861 million yuan, an increase of 18%. This targeted industrial strategy is generating a continuous stream of new projects.

Supportive Services Solve Labor Shortage Challenges

Attracting businesses is only the first step; the real challenge lies in keeping them. As production capacity expands, the demand for labor has surged. To address this, the Longchuan Zone has innovated with a recruitment model that combines a dedicated recruitment task force with employee referral programs. Kaisiya has been an early success story, growing its workforce from fewer than 600 to over 1,100 workers and achieving first-half output of 170 million yuan, a 26% increase year-on-year. By the end of July, total employment in the Zone had risen by 1,245 people, from 8,046 to 9,291.

The Zone's support goes beyond just filling positions. They have established a system to regularly collect and resolve business requests, with issues being tracked, addressed, and closed out within a set timeframe. Since its launch, this system has successfully resolved 26 different requests and facilitated 37.3 million yuan in business financing. Other measures, such as the bi-weekly coordination meeting between the Zone's party secretary and director, and an insurance program for Myanmar workers, provide a comprehensive framework that helps businesses operate smoothly and with confidence.

Infrastructure Upgrades Build a Foundation for Future Growth

A solid foundation is crucial for sustainable development. Accelerated construction on the Zhangfeng Port's comprehensive inspection area, as well as the border gate and pre-interception operation zones, has significantly improved customs clearance efficiency. In the first half of the year, import and export freight volume hit 675,600 tons, a 42.58% increase year-on-year. Notably, 7,477.14 tons of rare earth oxides passed through the port, valued at 1.366 billion yuan and accounting for 10.75% of China's total imports of the material.

Infrastructure is also being elevated. Projects to expand and upgrade sewage treatment, water supply, and roads are on a priority list with a clear timeline for substantial progress this year. A modern blueberry agricultural park spanning over 3,500 mu is gradually coming into production, and Angel Yeast's 8,000-ton expansion project is nearing completion. This private-sector-driven approach to park construction is gaining momentum.

Safety and environmental standards remain a priority. Routine hazard inspections are ongoing, and traditional industries like sugar and yeast are being transformed with circular processes to maximize resource efficiency, strengthening the region's commitment to sustainable, green development.

This mid-year assessment offers more than just statistics. It is a statement of strategy and confidence. Transforming from a simple corridor into a dynamic engine, and from blueprints to tangible results, the Longchuan Zone is delivering on its promise. With clear goals and persistent effort, this frontier region is poised to shine even brighter on its path of industrial cooperation.