Yihe New Area posts strong first-quarter growth

Yihe New Area in Linyi reported robust growth in the first quarter of 2026, with GDP up 6.5 percent year on year, industrial output reaching 27.47 billion yuan ($4.04 billion), and fixed-asset investment up 5.3 percent year on year.

Figures released at an April 25 meeting showed the area's GDP growth ranked fourth in Linyi, with industrial output and fixed-asset investment growth ranking second and third, respectively. The meeting also reviewed progress in the area's campaign to build an industrial economy exceeding 100 billion yuan and enhance the city's appeal.

Industry remains key driver

Industry remained the key growth driver. In the first quarter, Yihe New Area's industrial added value rose 8.2 percent year on year, ranking third in the city, with industrial tax revenue reaching 540 million yuan, up 40.6 percent year on year.

Eighty-four companies, including Shandong Lingong Construction Machinery Co Ltd, Linyi Jinli Machinery Co Ltd, the Shandong branch of Guangdong Yifang Pharmaceutical Co Ltd, and Shandong Jinsheng Non-ferrous Group Co Ltd, each paid more than 1 million yuan in taxes. Their combined tax contributions reached 440 million yuan, up 77 percent year on year.

Project construction also accelerated. Among the area's 223 high-quality development projects, 112 of the 163 implementation projects began construction, with a start rate of 69 percent. Thirty-two new industrial projects began construction in the first quarter, adding momentum to the area's development.

New growth drivers take shape

New growth drivers continued to emerge. The balance of green loans in Yihe New Area reached 3.48 billion yuan in the first quarter, up 33 percent year on year. The Linyi Carbon Loan program issued 1.38 billion yuan, supporting lower-carbon development through financing incentives.

An Ecology-Oriented Development, or EOD, project received an 880-million-yuan syndicated credit line from China Development Bank with a 20-year term, the first of its kind in Linyi.

The area also advanced its enterprise listing pipeline. Six companies, including Linyi Lingong Intelligent Information Technology Co Ltd and Shandong Norlan Information Technology Co Ltd, were included in the city-level reserve list for future listings, forming a pattern of key breakthroughs and tiered cultivation.

An urban overpass in Yihe New Area, Linyi, Shandong province. The area is stepping up infrastructure development as it beautifies the city. [Photo/Linyi Daily]

Editor：韩蒙蒙