Albemarle(US:ALB) Ren Min Ri Bao·2025-08-07 22:37Core Insights - Sichuan province has established 906 new foreign-invested enterprises in 2024, maintaining its leading position in foreign direct investment (FDI) in the central and western regions of China, driven by strategic initiatives to enhance international competitiveness and open up to the west [1] Group 1: Thai Tsingtao Group - Thai Tsingtao Group's Red Bull beverage production base in Neijiang has a total investment of 2 billion RMB, with a planned annual output value of 5 billion RMB and an expected annual production capacity of 1.44 billion cans after the completion of five production lines [2][3] - The decision-making process for the investment took 7 months, during which the local government addressed over 1,600 inquiries from the company, demonstrating a proactive approach to support foreign investment [3] - The strategic location of Neijiang within a half-hour high-speed rail circle of Chengdu and Chongqing is a significant factor in attracting the investment, alongside favorable policies and a supportive business environment [4] Group 2: Australian Cochlear Limited - Cochlear Limited has established its first manufacturing base in China for artificial cochlear implants in Chengdu, which is expected to double the global production capacity by March 2025 [5] - The company has significantly reduced logistics costs by 90% and shortened the import-export process from two weeks to one day by utilizing the bonded logistics center [5] Group 3: American Albemarle Corporation - Albemarle Corporation has invested 900 million USD in a lithium hydroxide project in Meishan, which is the largest fixed asset investment project for the company in China [7] - The project was completed ahead of schedule, with the approval process for pre-examination reduced from 10 days to just 2 days, highlighting the efficiency of local government services [7][8] - The company has increased its registered capital from 170 million USD to 300 million USD, reflecting confidence in the investment environment and talent availability in Sichuan [8] Group 4: Chengdu's Investment Environment - Chengdu has introduced measures to optimize the foreign investment environment, focusing on enhancing the quality of foreign capital utilization and providing national treatment for foreign enterprises [6] - In the first four months of 2024, foreign direct investment in Chengdu reached 656 million USD, marking a year-on-year increase of 59.89% [6]