AsianScientist (Jun 1, 2012) – General Electric Co (GE) announced that a China Innovation Center (CIC) has been completed in Chengdu, the capital city of Sichuan province, Southwest China.
Located in the west park of the Chengdu High-tech Industrial Development Zone (CDHT), CIC Chengdu is the first innovation center by GE outside of the United States.
According to GE, CIC Chengdu will combine R&D with marketing, focusing on local healthcare, shale gas drilling technology, new industrial automation solution, and green energy, among others.
“We believe open innovation practices, especially the customer co-creation approach embodied in CIC Chengdu, is essential for multinational technology companies such as GE as we participate and contribute to China’s future growth,” said Chairman and CEO Jeff Immelt in Chengdu today.
The new center is expected to build on local capabilities and explore new technical solutions for the needs of the local market.
According to the CDHT press release, US$80 million has been invested into construction, recruitment, and operation of the new project. The innovation center will employ over 500 employees.
Ranked fourth among the national high-tech zones, CDHT’s other tenants include Intel, TI, Foxconn, Dell, Lenovo, Siemens and Philips. Together, they form a cluster of expertise in integrated circuits, photoelectric displays, software and service outsourcing and electronic terminals manufacturing.
In 2011, CDHT’s industrial value-added output rose 25.2 percent to 70.65 billion RMB, and the value of export reached US$11.61 billion, up 222.5 percent. Total revenue reached 21.67 billion RMB, up 36.92 percent.
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Source: Chengdu High-tech Industrial Development Zone.
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