The government of Foshan in South China's Guangdong province is to establish a top business environment to benefit and serve companies in an all-around way, according to its action plan released last week.

The plan, released on Dec 16, is part of the city government's effort to further stimulate market vitality and social creativity. It includes 56 measures of reform ranging from streamlining services for businesses, increasing the approval efficiency of projects, promoting online tax services, facilitating cross-border trade, standardizing administrative approvals and targeting market regulation to improve the legal environment.

As the only pilot city for the comprehensive reform of manufacturing transformation and upgrading in the country, Foshan has been dedicated to improving its business environment and making the city an ideal investment destination.

Official data showed that the city's economic volume topped 1 trillion yuan ($157.6 billion) for the first time in 2019.

This new starting point gives Foshan the opportunity to enter a new round of reform for its business environment, local officials said.

The latest action plan reiterates the reforms should not put pressure on businesses and need to provide services without any strings attached.

According to the plan, the government comprehensively supervises projects remotely so as to cause minimal disruption to business operations.

The city government will promote its brand of products as "made in Foshan" to highlight their quality and manufacturing standards. It also plans to set up reform and innovation awards for businesses operating in the city, and build more business service centers in its districts.

In terms of cross-border trade, the city government will create a single window for processing international trade. It will conduct open and coordinated digital trade and build a system for information sharing, financial services, intelligent logistics and social credit in the digital field. It will also promote the construction of a cross-border comprehensive pilot zone to help businesses expand into new markets.

Financial services will be further reformed and made more inclusive. The efforts will include optimization, broadening channels, reducing costs and enhancing credit investigation.

Workers at an administrative center in Foshan provide services for businesses. CHINA DAILY

According to the plan, reform will be deepened in standardizing administrative affairs including approval items, online service platforms and enterprise incentives.

To further deepen the reform in the legal environment, the government will improve its protection mechanisms in fields such as intellectual property, assets disposal and litigation services. It will also help mediate business disputes more efficiently.

Legislation is being worked on for better regulations on serving market players, which are expected to come into effect in 2022, according to the plan.

The action plan will be renewed and revised every year to constantly improve Foshan's business environment, local officials said.

Taking innovation as a driving force, the city government said it will play a leading role in sectors including technological development and modern corporate systems, to build an improved business service system.

In the next five years, Foshan will achieve high-quality development and play a leading role in institutional reform in the business environment, local officials said.

It will improve the business service system and increase the efficiency of dealing with administrative affairs, ensuring a high level of public satisfaction, and thus building upon soft power and competitiveness.