Coupons are used in Huzhu to mobilize local enterprises to ramp up innovation by bringing in technologies from innovation hubs such as Shanghai in the Yangtze River Delta. [Photo/WeChat account: huzhoufabu]

Coupons are being used in Huzhou to mobilize local enterprises to ramp up innovation by bringing in technologies from innovation hubs like Shanghai in the Yangtze River Delta.

In the city's Deqing county, enterprises can apply for "Innovation Coupons" from the local government, with which they can purchase services such as the transfer of intellectual property rights from more than 30 agencies based in Shanghai.

Coupon holders are entitled to a 50-percent discount, according to a head official from the Huzhou municipal bureau of science and technology, adding that Huzhou is endevouring to make them recognized by all cities in the YRD.

A head official from the Changxing bureau of science and technology revealed that numerous local enterprises have sent employees to Hangzhou, Shanghai, and other cities in search of scientific and technological services.

The YRD is rich in scientific and technological resources. The number of R&D workers in the region accounts for 20 percent of all such workers in the nation. Its R&D investment amount, number of patent applications, and output value of high-tech industries all account for one third of the country's total.

In 2013, Changxing, another county in Huzhou, became the first county in China to issue cross-regional innovation coupons to help local enterprises strengthen innovation. To date, the county has released 218 million yuan ($31.5 million) in coupons, among which 140 million yuan have been used.

Official data show that in the first quarter, Huzhou issued more than 25 million yuan in innovation coupons, of which over 13 million yuan had been used. Both stats ranked first in Zhejiang province.

In addition to promoting the sharing of scientific and technological resources, the city has also made strong efforts to develop and attract renowned universities and research organs.

The city is cuyrrently home to over 300 research organs including research institutes and key labs. Since 2010, more than 2,300 enterprises in the city have established partnerships with nearly 400 universities around the world.