Introduction
Under the jurisdiction of Suzhou, Zhangjiagang is a two-hour drive to Shanghai Hongqiao Airport and Nanjing Lukou Airport. Approved by the State Council in 1992, Zhangjiagang Free Trade Zone (ZJGFTZ) is the only Chinese free trade zone that lies by an inland river.
Providing much convenience to ZJGFTZ is the Zhangjiagang Port, just adjacent to the Zone. The largest inland river port, Zhangjiagang Port is one of the most important transportation hubs for timber, steel, chemical products and vegetable oil.
The Port boasts a total of 33 wharves, and can handle more than 10,000 tonnages. In 2003, the total freight turnover of Zhangjiagang Port reached 35 million tons. Due to the overburdened transportation system between Suzhou and Shanghai, Zhangjiagang and other ports around Suzhou will play a more important role in the future.
The main industries in ZJGFTZ are export processing, international trade and bonded storage. The Zone is gradually becoming an export processing base and distribution center for the import and export of cargo. This latest development creates potential for further growth.
Zhangjiagang Port also has a port for the chemical industry with a capacity of 10 million tons per year. To further tap on the proximity of the port andits facilities for the chemical industry, ZJGFTZ administrative committee established the Yangtze River International Chemical Industrial Park (YICIP), which exists independently of the policies of the Free Trade Zone.
Investment Climate
After 14 years of development, ZJGFTZ (including YICIP) has formed four industry clusters,namely, grain & vegetable oil, chemical, textile and machinery. In particular, the chemical industry has become the cornerstone of ZJGFTZ (including YICIP). By the end of 2003, ZJGFTZ (including YICIP) had attracted 3,225 projects with total investment of USD 2.38 billion. Ten Fortune 500 companies have set up operations in ZJGFTZ (including YICIP). 
