Suzhou unveils new policies to advance industrial design

Suzhou has announced new "Implementation Opinions on Further Promoting the Development of Industrial Design" aimed at fostering local industrial design brands and advancing the transformation and upgrading of manufacturing industries.

Under these new policies, Suzhou will offer rewards of up to 500,000 yuan ($69,983) for projects that drive innovation and the application of industrial design.

National and provincial industrial design research institutes can receive rewards of up to 5 million yuan and 1 million yuan, respectively. National and provincial industrial design centers are eligible for rewards of up to 1 million yuan and 500,000 yuan, respectively.

The city will also establish several industrial design demonstration zones with provincial-level zones eligible for rewards of up to 1 million yuan.

Looking ahead to 2027, Suzhou plans to hold 10 industrial design exhibitions, 35 industrial design and industry matchmaking events, and 15 brand promotion activities both nationally and internationally.

In addition, the city aims to set up 15 provincial industrial design research institutes, 15 national industrial design centers, and 850 provincial and municipal industrial design centers. The initiative will also focus on cultivating 1,000 innovative industrial design talents and providing design services to over 1,000 manufacturing enterprises.