Shanghai's IT manufacturing output rises 7.6% last year

The output of Shanghai’s information technology manufacturing industry grew over 7 percent year on year last year, with the city achieving “breakthrough development” in high-end and strategic technologies like semiconductor, 5G and the Internet of Things, the local industry regulator said today.

In 2017, Shanghai’s IT manufacturing output reached 650.5 billion yuan, 7.6 percent growth year-on-year, slightly higher than Shanghai’s GDP growth.

Shanghai said it has achieved “breakthrough development” in next-generation and strategic sectors, with companies like SMIC, Huawei and ASML setting up new facilities in the city to boost innovative technologies covering 5G, semiconductor and the Internet of Things, said Rong Zhiqin, vice director of the Shanghai Commission of Economy and Informatization.

Shanghai has also created a special fund of 50 billion yuan (US$7.7 billion) to support semiconductor firms with core technologies.

Shanghai will hold SIIEF (Shanghai International IT & Electronics Fair), the city’s biggest IT show held annually, from next Wednesday to Friday at the Shanghai New International Expo Centre and from March 20 to 22 at the National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai).

The fair is expected to attract 4,000 exhibitors and 245,000 professional visitors.