Representatives of innovative enterprises receive financial support at an innovation and entrepreneurship conference held in Tianhe district, Guangzhou, on Dec 5. 

[Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

An innovation and entrepreneurship conference was held in Tianhe district of Guangzhou on Dec 5 with aim of boosting innovation in the region's scientific and technological sectors.

More than 500 attendees from universities, research institutes, corporation headquarters, business incubators and government departments attended the conference, which is considered a main part of the Guangzhou International Innovation Festival.

The agenda for the conference included the screening of a six-minute video promoting Tianhe's achievements in innovation, and detailing the district's preferential policies for businesses. The video was followed by speeches delivered by government officials, and an award ceremony, commending innovative enterprises.

"I hope Tianhe will continue to contribute to building Guangzhou a hub for global scientific and technological innovation," said Diao Ailin, vice secretary general of Guangdong municipal government.

Having rolled out a range of preferential policies in late 2015, Tianhe district has provided a total of 32 million yuan ($4.6 million) in financial support to more than 2,350 innovative enterprises, with the total figure expected to reach 40 million yuan by the end of the year, according to Pan Zhiwei, deputy head of Tianhe district.

Lin Daoping, secretary of Tianhe district committee of the CPC, delivered a speech at the conference, and spoke highly of Tianhe's technological innovation. Lin said technology innovation would provide a strong impetus to the district's economic development.

"The local government will redouble its efforts to build more innovation centers, foster and introduce more innovative companies, roll out better preferential policies, and create a thick atmosphere for innovation and entrepreneurship," said Lin.