Why Comparing Industrial Parks Is Critical for Foreign Investors
Selecting the right industrial park is one of the most consequential decisions a foreign investor makes when entering Anhui Province (安徽, Ānhuī). With over 100 development zones and specialized parks across 16 cities, each offering different incentive packages, infrastructure quality, and industry ecosystems, a structured comparison approach is essential. This tool provides a systematic framework for evaluating and comparing Anhui’s industrial parks across the dimensions that matter most to foreign businesses.
Use this tool as a decision framework from your initial shortlist through final site selection. The comparison dimensions are based on feedback from foreign-invested enterprises already operating in Anhui and represent the factors they identified as most critical to their success.
Comparison Framework Overview
We recommend evaluating candidate parks across six weighted dimensions. Each dimension should be scored on a 1-10 scale, with 10 being the most favorable for your specific business model. Apply the weight multipliers to arrive at a composite score for each park.
| Dimension | Weight | What to Evaluate | Data Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Policy & Incentives | 5x | CIT rate, land subsidies, R&D grants, talent subsidies | Park management committee proposal |
| Infrastructure | 4x | Power reliability, water treatment, telecommunications, road access | Site visit + existing tenant interviews |
| Supply Chain | 4x | Supplier concentration, logistics connectivity, port/airport proximity | Industry association data + site inspection |
| Labor Market | 3x | Available talent pool, wage levels, university partnerships, training programs | Local bureau of statistics + HR surveys |
| Regulatory Efficiency | 3x | Approval timelines, one-stop service desk, customs clearance speed | FIE feedback + published service commitments |
| Living Environment | 2x | International schools, housing quality, medical facilities, transportation to city center | Site visit + expatriate community feedback |
Decision Framework: If your business is manufacturing-intensive, weight Infrastructure and Supply Chain higher (5x and 5x). If your business is R&D or technology-driven, weight Policy & Incentives and Labor Market higher. Service-oriented operations should prioritize Regulatory Efficiency and Living Environment.
Step 1: Build Your Shortlist
Start with the China Development Zone Network (中国开发区网) to identify all parks in Anhui that include your industry in their approved industry catalog. Filter by city based on your logistics and market access requirements. Aim for an initial shortlist of 5-7 parks.
Download the master list: Export park data from the China Development Zone Network into a spreadsheet. Key fields to capture: park name, tier (national/provincial), approved industries, total land area, established year, and annual output value.
Step 2: Score Each Park
For each park on your shortlist, gather data across the six dimensions. Use the following data collection methods in order of reliability:
1. Official sources (most reliable): Park management committee investment guides, provincial commerce department filings, published five-year plans.
2. Direct inquiry: Send a standardized request for information (RFI) to each park’s investment office. Use the contact information in our companion resource “Essential Anhui Industrial Zone Contacts for Foreign Tenants.”
3. Existing tenant feedback (highly reliable): Speak with at least two foreign-invested enterprises operating in each candidate park. Ask about actual experience vs. official promises.
4. Site visit (essential): Visit each shortlisted park personally. Assess road quality, utility reliability, surrounding environment, and proximity to suppliers and customers.
Step 3: Apply the Scoring Matrix
Create a comparison table with parks as rows and the six dimensions as columns. Score each dimension 1-10, multiply by the weight, and sum for a total score. Below is an illustrative example:
| Park | Policy (5x) | Infra (4x) | Supply Chain (4x) | Labor (3x) | Regulation (3x) | Living (2x) | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hefei HTZ | 8 → 40 | 9 → 36 | 8 → 32 | 9 → 27 | 8 → 24 | 8 → 16 | 175 |
| Wuhu ETDZ | 7 → 35 | 8 → 32 | 9 → 36 | 7 → 21 | 7 → 21 | 6 → 12 | 157 |
| Bengbu HTZ | 7 → 35 | 6 → 24 | 6 → 24 | 6 → 18 | 7 → 21 | 5 → 10 | 132 |
| Ma’anshan ETDZ | 6 → 30 | 7 → 28 | 7 → 28 | 5 → 15 | 6 → 18 | 5 → 10 | 129 |
Decision Framework: If two parks have similar total scores (within 10 points), prioritize based on the margin in your highest-weighted dimension. If Park A scores 170 and Park B scores 165 but Park B scores 10 in your top-weighted dimension while Park A scores 7, choose Park B despite the lower total.
Step 4: Financial Modeling Integration
After scoring, use the results to inform a detailed financial model. The park comparison score should feed into a cost-benefit analysis that includes:
- Estimated land or rental costs (from park RFI responses)
- Incentive values (tax savings, cash subsidies, rent reductions — see our Incentive Lists resource)
- Logistics cost differences (from supply chain assessment)
- Labor cost variations across cities
- Timeline impact of regulatory efficiency differences
For detailed cost calculation, use our companion tool “How to Calculate Anhui Park Costs: Tool for Foreign Firms” which provides a step-by-step cost modeling framework.
Step 5: Decision Validation
Before making a final decision, validate your comparison results through these additional checks:
- Visit the top 2-3 scoring parks in person
- Request a detailed incentive offer letter from each park
- Interview at least 3 existing foreign tenants in each high-scoring park
- Engage the Anhui Provincial Investment Promotion Bureau for independent assessment
- Review the park’s most recent annual performance ranking (published by the Ministry of Commerce)
- Consult with a China-market entry lawyer on the specific terms offered
Next Steps
Download our comparison spreadsheet template and begin populating data for your shortlisted parks. Contact the Anhui Provincial Investment Promotion Bureau at service@anhuiinvest.gov.cn to request standardized park information packages. Use the incentive lists and cost calculation tools alongside this comparison framework for a comprehensive evaluation. When you have narrowed to 2-3 candidates, contact the park management committees directly to arrange site visits.
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Your Gateway to Investing in Anhui.