Shaoxing deputies to the first session of the 13th Zhejiang People's Congress exchange ideas on the government work report on Jan 26. [Photo/zjol.com.cn]

Deputies to the Zhejiang People's Congress from Shaoxing's manufacturing sector held a lively discussion on the transformation and upgrading of traditional industries on Jan 26.

As mentioned in the government work report, Shaoxing will be a pilot city for industrial improvement. "The government's attention on Shaoxing's traditional industries gives me confidence and determination to boost scientific innovation," said Jin Yao, chairman of Babei Group, a leading enterprise in Chinese necktie industry.

Over the past one year, Shaoxing has made great achievements in five specific industries – textile, chemical, metal processing, yellow wine and pearl.

Shengzhou, a county-level city in Shaoxing, is the world's largest production base for neckties. In the recent years, the outdated sales mode and the rising prices of raw materials has made it necessary for the industry to seek changes.

"We should integrate resources and make up for the weakness with scientific and technological innovation," said Jin. Babei Group has found a way to transform and upgrade its production by applying industrialized means in sericulture.

"Innovation is the key to regain success," said Liu Huilan, a manager from Zhejiang Entive Electric Co Ltd, who held the same opinion as Jin. Entive is a leading manufacturer in high-end kitchen appliance with main focus on integrated cookers.

"In the past five years, we have received six certificates of 'Made in Zhejiang' and seven authorized invention patents," Liu said, adding the company will be more confident in innovation with the government guidlines.

Chen Ayu, chairman of Sleemon Furniture Co proposed the government to promote the cooperation between companies and research institutes, which he thought would be useful for the transformation and upgrading of technologies.