PUBLISHED MARKET GUIDE
Guangzhou's Low-Altitude Economy: A Guide to New Incentives for Intelligent Vehicle and Drone Companies
Discover how Guangzhou's 2024 policy supports the low-altitude economy with financial incentives for R&D, manufacturing, and operations of eVTOLs, flying cars, and drones.
Guangzhou is accelerating its low-altitude economy with new measures that offer financial support for intelligent vehicle and drone enterprises. This guide outlines key incentives and requirements for companies looking to establish or expand operations in the city.
Independently written English guidance based on cited public sources. Every public guide is human reviewed; it is not an official translation of the source publisher.
Policy Overview
In July 2024, the Guangzhou Municipal Government issued a set of measures to promote the high-quality development of the low-altitude economy. These measures aim to cultivate and strengthen enterprises in the sector, improve infrastructure, boost technological innovation, and expand multi-scenario applications.
The policy supports a range of activities, including research, development, manufacturing, operation, and testing of low-altitude aircraft such as electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, flying cars, general aviation aircraft, and non-passenger drones.
Financial Incentives for Headquarters and Major Projects
Companies that qualify as headquarters in the low-altitude economy can benefit from the city's headquarters economic policies. For example, R&D and manufacturing enterprises with annual operating revenue of 100 million RMB or more may be recognized as headquarters and receive annual rewards of up to 1 million RMB per company.
Additional support is available for major projects: fixed asset investments between 500 million and 10 billion RMB can receive a 2% grant from the city finance, while projects with investments of 10 billion RMB or more can receive a 5% grant, excluding support from provincial or district sources.
These incentives apply to projects involving the R&D, manufacturing, operation, and inspection of eVTOLs, flying cars, general aviation aircraft, and non-passenger drones.
Support for Key Components and Supply Chain
The policy also encourages the development of key components and materials for the low-altitude economy. Manufacturing projects for main control chips, power systems, flight control systems, communication, navigation and surveillance systems, airframes, avionics, key materials, and counter-drone technologies are eligible for the same investment-based incentives.
Additionally, companies developing and promoting such components, materials, or software can apply for recognition as first (set) key technical equipment, new materials first batch, or software first version projects, and may receive financial rewards upon qualification.
Encouragement for High-Quality Enterprise Development
Guangzhou plans to leverage provincial and municipal funds to support eVTOL, flying car, and drone manufacturers and their suppliers in applying for national-level ‘Little Giant’ (specialized, refined, differential, and innovative) enterprise status and manufacturing industry champions. Financial rewards will be provided based on relevant policies.
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This guide received human editorial review. Use its public sources and review date to assess the current information boundary.
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