Key Insights
Henan is an important birthplace of Chinese civilization and the cradle of Chinese culture, serving as a major province in terms of population, agriculture, economy, and emerging industry. It is also a culturally significant province with accelerating inland openness, featuring advantageous geographic location, strong industrial foundation, vast market potential, and tremendous development prospects.
In 2023, Henan's GDP reached 5.91 trillion yuan, growing by 4.1%. The province's total import and export value was 810.79 billion yuan, with actual foreign investment of 750 million USD. Total retail sales of consumer goods reached 2.6 trillion yuan, increasing by 6.5%. Grain production has remained stable above 130 billion kilograms for seven consecutive years.
Henan: Cultural Cradle and Strategic Economic Hub
Henan Province is an important birthplace of Chinese civilization and the cradle of Chinese culture. As a major province in terms of population, agriculture, economy, and emerging industry, it also holds significant cultural influence while accelerating its development as an inland open province. The region boasts advantageous geographic location, strong industrial foundation, vast market potential, and tremendous development prospects.
Strategic Innovation Framework: "Three-Pillar" Scientific Innovation Pattern
🔬 Zhengzhou Science City
Comprehensive innovation hub focusing on advanced technology development and scientific research.
🏥 Central Plains Medical Science City
Specialized center for medical research, healthcare innovation, and biotechnology development.
🌾 Central Plains Agricultural Valley
Agricultural technology and innovation center focusing on modern farming techniques and food security.
Comprehensive Opening-up Pattern: "Four Routes Coordination and Five Zones Linkage"
Four Routes Coordination:
- Air Silk Road
- Land Silk Road
- Online Silk Road
- Maritime Silk Road
Five Zones Linkage:
- Zhengzhou Airport Economy Zone
- China (Henan) Pilot Free Trade Zone
- Cross-border E-commerce Comprehensive Pilot Zone
- Zhengzhou-Luoyang-Xinxiang National Independent Innovation Demonstration Zone
- National Big Data (Henan) Comprehensive Pilot Zone
In recent years, Henan Province has seized the strategic opportunities of the Yellow River Basin ecological protection and high-quality development, as well as the high-quality development of the central region in the new era. The province has achieved significant economic and social development while maintaining ecological balance.
Investment Attraction Policies
Henan has established a comprehensive policy framework to attract and support foreign investment, with specific focus on investment funding, key project support, multinational headquarters, R&D centers, and international cooperation parks.
Key Policy Framework
Provincial Investment Attraction Special Fund Management (2022)
Notice on Printing and Distributing the Management Measures for Provincial Investment Attraction Special Funds in Henan Province
Document No.: Yu Cai Mao [2022] No. 46
Issued by Henan Provincial Department of Finance and Henan Provincial Department of Commerce
Key Foreign Investment Projects Support (2023)
Notice on Further Strengthening the Guarantee of Construction Elements for Key Foreign Investment Projects in the Province
Document No.: Yu Fa Gai Wai Zi [2023] No. 622
Issued by Henan Provincial Development and Reform Commission, Henan Provincial Department of Commerce, and other departments
Multinational Corporation Regional Headquarters Support (2022)
Notice on Printing and Distributing the Interim Provisions on Encouraging Multinational Corporations to Establish Regional Headquarters and Functional Institutions
Document No.: Yu Shang Zi [2022] No. 12
Issued by Henan Provincial Department of Commerce and Henan Provincial Department of Finance
Foreign R&D Center Recognition (2021)
Notice on Printing and Distributing the Recognition Measures for Foreign-invested R&D Centers in Henan Province
Document No.: Yu Shang Wai Zi [2021] No. 17
Issued by Henan Provincial Department of Commerce, Henan Provincial Department of Finance, Henan Provincial Tax Service, and Zhengzhou Customs
International Cooperation Parks Management (2021)
Notice on Printing and Distributing the Interim Measures for the Recognition and Management of International Cooperation Parks in Henan Province
Document No.: Yu Shang Wai Zi [2021] No. 18
Issued by Henan Provincial Department of Commerce and 8 other departments
Policy Coverage Areas:
- Special funds for investment attraction
- Resource guarantees for key foreign investment projects
- Support for multinational corporation regional headquarters
- Recognition and support for foreign-invested R&D centers
- Development of international cooperation parks
Priority Industries and Strategic Development
Henan Province has positioned high-quality manufacturing development as its main strategic direction, focusing on strengthening the "7+28+N" industrial clusters and chains as the strategic support for advancing new industrialization.
"7+28+N" Industrial System
This comprehensive industrial framework consists of 7 advanced manufacturing clusters, 28 key industrial chains, and numerous specialized industrial chains in subdivided fields.
Industrial System Framework
"7" - Advanced Manufacturing Clusters
New Materials, New Energy Vehicles, Electronic Information, Advanced Equipment, Modern Pharmaceuticals, Modern Food, Modern Light Textile
"28" - Key Industrial Chains
Including Superhard Materials and 27 other key industrial chains
"N" - Specialized Industrial Chains
Numerous specialized and innovative industrial chains in subdivided fields
Industrial Innovation and Development
The "7+28+N" industrial clusters and chains have gathered more than 70% of the province's key innovation platforms and created more than 80% of the total import and export value and more than 60% of the industrial output value of enterprises above designated size. They have become the main battlefield for Henan to promote new industrialization.
🧪 New Materials
Advanced materials for high-tech applications across multiple industries.
🚗 New Energy Vehicles
Electric vehicles, components, and supporting infrastructure.
💻 Electronic Information
Computing, communications, and digital technology development.
⚙️ Advanced Equipment
High-end manufacturing equipment and precision machinery.
💊 Modern Pharmaceuticals
Innovative medicines, biotechnology, and healthcare solutions.
🍲 Modern Food
Advanced food processing, safety, and nutrition technologies.
🧵 Modern Light Textile
Advanced textile manufacturing and innovative fabric technologies.
Industrial Heritage and Modern Innovation
Henan's Industrial Advantages:
- Strategic central location with excellent transportation connectivity
- Strong agricultural foundation as a major grain-producing province
- Emerging industrial base with comprehensive manufacturing capabilities
- Rich cultural heritage and historical resources
- Comprehensive innovation ecosystem with "three-pillar" scientific platforms
Strategic Advantages for International Investors
Henan offers unique advantages that make it an attractive destination for international manufacturing and innovation investment:
- Strategic Geographic Location: Located in central China with excellent transportation networks connecting north to south and east to west, providing efficient logistics and market access advantages.
- Comprehensive Industrial Foundation: Well-established industrial base with the "7+28+N" industrial system providing complete supply chain networks and manufacturing capabilities.
- Vast Market Potential: Large population base creating significant consumer market opportunities and abundant human resources for business development.
- Agricultural Leadership: Leading agricultural province with grain production consistently exceeding 130 billion kilograms, providing strong foundation for food processing and related industries.
- Innovation Ecosystem: Developing "three-pillar" scientific innovation pattern with specialized platforms for technology, medical science, and agricultural advancement.
- Opening-up Framework: Comprehensive opening-up pattern with "Four Routes Coordination and Five Zones Linkage" creating multiple channels for international cooperation and trade.
Conclusion: Henan as Your Central China Investment Gateway
Henan represents a unique combination of cultural heritage, strategic location, and industrial development that creates exceptional opportunities for international manufacturing and technology investment. The province's position at the heart of China provides unparalleled access to markets throughout the country.
With its comprehensive industrial system, innovation platforms, and opening-up initiatives, Henan offers international investors significant advantages across multiple high-growth sectors, from advanced manufacturing to agricultural technology.
"Henan stands at the crossroads of Chinese civilization and modern development—a province where cultural heritage meets industrial innovation, creating a dynamic environment for international business growth and sustainable investment opportunities."
— Investment Perspective on Henan's Strategic Value
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