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The Shanghai government will invest more in creative industries to reduce reliance on the manufacturing sector.

The Shanghai Economic Commission announced yesterday it will invest an additional 2 billion yuan (US$247 million) next year to boost companies involved in architecture, culture and design.

The government has already spent 4 billion yuan since it started the initiative last year.

"We hope to develop the creative industry as we can gain more profit through intellectual property rather than processing or manufacturing," said Le Jingpeng, deputy director of the Shanghai Economic Commission.

Eighteen creative industrial parks ¡ª including Creativity Warehouse along Suzhou Creek and newly built Bridge 8 on Jianguo Road ¡ª have attracted more than 800 design companies from over 30 countries and regions to set up offices.

The second batch of 18 creative industrial parks will be granted next month during the 2005 Shanghai International Creative Industry Week from November 30 to December 6.

The creative industry week will feature forums on the city's image and intellectual property protection, as well as design contests and exhibitions of creative works from both home and abroad