The scientific and technological innovation capacity of Tai'an has been greatly improved and the local enterprise innovation index ranked third in Shandong province, up eight places from the previous year, according to a recent report released by the Shandong Science and Technology Statistical Analysis and Research Center.

According to the evaluation report of Shandong province's regional scientific and technological innovation capability in 2019, the proportion of research and development expenditure in the main business income of industrial enterprises above the scale in the city ranked first in the province.

The city's comprehensive science and technology innovation index ranked sixth in the province, up three places from the previous year.

According to local authorities, over the past year, Tai'an has been ramping up efforts to promote innovation-driven development and it has launched measures and preferential policies to support enterprise innovation and entrepreneurship.

Official statistics showed that, in the first three quarters of 2019, the output value of high-tech industries above the scale in Tai'an increased by 4.31 percent year on year, ranking third in Shandong province.

Last year, the number of state-level high and new tech enterprises in the city increased from 196 to 270. In addition, a total of 173 projects were included in the national and provincial science and technology plans, receiving a support fund of 353 million yuan ($50.89 million).

From January to November 2019, the operating revenue of 46 innovation enterprises in Tai'an reached 2.89 billion yuan, with profits totaling 83.64 million yuan, all of which increased significantly compared with the same period last year.

Last year the city also introduced 155 high-level talents to boost scientific and technological innovation and entrepreneurship.