A worker adjusts and tests equipment at an automobile factory in Changsha Economic and Technological Development Zone. [Photo/csxnews.com]

Changsha Economic and Technological Development Zone, a state-level economic region in Changsha county, ranked 24th among 219 competitors according to the recently released overall assessment of national economic development zones by the Ministry of Commerce.

This is the only development zone in Central China's Hunan province to enter the Top 30.

For the first time, the ministry made a comprehensive check and quantitative evaluation of 219 national economic development zones across the country, looking at them through aspects of industrial foundation, scientific and technological innovation, regional impact, environment protection and administrative efficiency.

Among 53 indicators in the five categories, Changsha Economic and Technological Development Zone excelled the national average in 32 items, especially in fields of industrial clusters and scientific and technological innovation.

Statistics showed that in 2017 the zone garnered 234.85 billion yuan ($36.79 billion) in the total value of industries above a designated scale, up by 20.3 percent year-on-year and 15.57 billion yuan in fiscal revenue, an increase of 13 percent. Other major economic indicators basically experienced two-digit growth.

During the first quarter of 2018, the area sustained sound momentum and witnessed the introduction of 22 projects with single investment of above 50 million yuan.

It has grown into a key growth pole and driving force for industrial development in Central China, with the strong comprehensive strength, good industrial cluster and high level of openness among its peers in Hunan province.