At the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region Service Industry Conference held in Hohhot on August 18, it was revealed that Baotou is leveraging its manufacturing strengths to drive growth in the producer services sector. The city plans to raise the added value of producer services to 150 billion yuan by the end of the 15th Five-Year Plan period, increasing its share of total service industry added value from 36.7% at the end of the 14th Five-Year Plan to approximately 45%.

Expanding Scientific Innovation Services to Strengthen Manufacturing Support

Baotou is intensifying efforts to build technological innovation platforms, enhancing the efficiency of two national key laboratories and focusing resources on strengthening the Baotou Research Institute of Rare Earths. The city is also pushing for the Lucheng Laboratory to quickly become a regional-level laboratory in Inner Mongolia, while planning the establishment of autonomous region key laboratories for high-purity fluorine materials and high-performance carbon fibers. By the end of the 15th Five-Year Plan, the coverage rate of R&D activities among industrial enterprises above designated size is targeted to increase from 36% to over 40%.

Efforts are underway to improve the technology transfer and commercialization service system, including the construction of five pilot-scale bases for high-purity rare earth metals and alloys, along with 15 pilot production lines. During the 15th Five-Year Plan period, the annual growth rate of technology contract transactions is expected to exceed 10%, with over 200 key commercialization projects to be implemented. Additionally, the city is enhancing inspection and testing capabilities by strengthening the national rare earth functional materials measurement center and the autonomous region's photovoltaic (silicon material) industry measurement and testing center. Plans include establishing specialized testing service platforms for wind power equipment and new energy storage, creating a comprehensive inspection and testing system tailored to the city's leading industries. Intellectual property services are also being optimized.

Deepening Industry-Service Integration to Boost Manufacturing Transformation

For key industries such as rare earths, metallurgy, and equipment manufacturing, Baotou is developing high-quality industry datasets and launching specialized industry models and industrial intelligent agents for specific segments. The city is expanding energy conservation and environmental protection services, cultivating businesses in environmental monitoring, testing, and environmental facility operations, while growing the resource recycling industry cluster. Professional operation and maintenance services are being enhanced by guiding resident enterprises to outsource equipment repair and production line maintenance needs, developing remote online diagnostics and full-lifecycle operation services, and improving the maintenance service system for new energy stations.

Optimizing Circulation and Supporting Services to Smooth the Industrial Chain

Baotou is expanding wholesale trade by leveraging its advantageous industry clusters and professional markets for steel, bulk mineral products, and agricultural and livestock products. The city is developing integrated online and offline wholesale operations, establishing commodity trading platforms, and fostering new business models that combine warehousing with futures-spot integration. Port and land port infrastructure is being upgraded, with efforts to cultivate and attract foreign trade enterprises and expand the variety of import and export products.

Modern logistics are being developed by capitalizing on the city's selection as a pilot city for the national comprehensive freight hub chain extension initiative. Four major logistics hub clusters are planned, aiming to reduce comprehensive logistics costs by more than 5% during the 15th Five-Year Plan period. Supply chain financial services are being improved through the accelerated establishment of a rare earth industry fund and the strengthening of the Baotou Rare Earth Exchange. A comprehensive technology finance system covering equity, loans, bonds, insurance, and guarantees is being developed to support enterprises throughout their full life cycle.

Business services are also being expanded by promoting the national pilot city initiative for integrated development of human resources services and manufacturing. The city is fostering integrated development of exhibitions and industry, while cultivating professional services in business consulting, accounting and auditing, and advertising planning.