Shenzhen will allocate 30 million yuan (US$3.85 million) annually to encourage local industries to discharge less pollutants and fund research on environmental protection, Vice Mayor Lu Ruifeng said yesterday.

Lu, at an award ceremony for 50 firms which have done a great job in reducing pollution last year, said the government will provide the necessary consultation and technical support to firms to achieve the goal to make Shenzhen an eco-city.

Four companies that recorded a remarkable decrease in waste discharge during the past year each received a 100,000-yuan cash prize from the municipal government at the ceremony. They are Shennan Circuits Co. Ltd., Olympus Shenzhen Co. Ltd., APCB Electronics Shenzhen Co. Ltd. and Ricoh Shenzhen Co. Ltd.

The four were selected from some 113 companies that joined Reducing Pollution Campaign, which was initiated by the city's environment protection bureau last April.

Another 46 were also honored for meeting pollution targets set by the government.

"Fifty among the 113 recorded a 20-percent reduction in either waste, exhaust gas or sewage discharged to the environment," said Chen Weiyuan, vice director general of the bureau.

According to the bureau, the city's water consumption for per 10,000-yuan GDP output was down 9.9 percent in the past three quarters of the year, while the energy consumption dropped 1.9 percent.

Chen said local companies are welcome to join the campaign. Companies with outstanding performances in environment protection will be awarded 100,000 yuan.

Interested enterprises can contact 8210-5749 or 8324-8484 for further information.

Editor: Yan