The Harbin area of the China Heilongjiang Pilot Free Trade Zone (Harbin FTZ) marked the one year anniversary of its establishment on Aug 28, according to the zone's management committee.

During the last year, a total of 3,028 enterprises have been started or registered in the Harbin FTZ. Of these, 20 foreign-funded enterprises were established, directly using foreign capital totaling $106 million.

Harbin FTZ is striving to create a world-class business environment. By leveraging the advantages of the pilot free trade zone in terms of institutional innovation and pioneering trials, it has created a new model of cross-border, coordinated approvals of government affairs in different places.

Harbin FTZ has built an exclusive platform for enterprise registration, which allows the process to be completed within one day.

Meanwhile, it has achieved higher levels of foreign cooperation and opening up by establishing and expanding logistics, industry, financing and technology innovation.

A series of moves have been made, such as introducing industrial parks focusing on cooperation with Russia, and the establishment of China’s first Sino-Russian Cross-border Financial Service Center.

According to an evaluation of the world's top accounting firms, the business environment of Harbin FTZ has risen 28 places in the ranking of 190 economies in the world.

In addition, Harbin FTZ established a company on July 29 to undertake investment promotion globally.

Officials said the company, Harbin Free Trade Zone International Investment Promotion Co, will build a professional international investment team.

It will focus on marketing and promoting the advantages of the industrial layout of Harbin New Zone and the Harbin FTZ – attracting companies engaged in high-end equipment manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, new materials, new technologies and the modern service industries.