The Baotou Rare Earth High-tech Industrial Development Zone reported strong economic performance in the first quarter of 2025, with regional GDP reaching 17.79 billion yuan ($2.44 billion), a 9.5 percent year-on-year increase and ranking first among the city's five major districts.

Industrial production showed particularly robust growth, as value-added output from large-scale industries rose 17.7 percent, with the rare earth sector surging 22.2 percent and accounting for 41 percent of overall industrial growth. The photovoltaic industry expanded even faster at 47.6 percent. Fixed asset investments grew 26.5 percent, driven by 17 newly launched projects that accounted for 31.1 percent of total investment.

Consumer markets remained vibrant, with total retail sales reaching 2.177 billion yuan, a 9.8 percent increase, while per capita disposable income for urban residents rose to 17,791 yuan. The zone's economic performance significantly outpaced city averages across all major indicators, demonstrating the continued success of innovation-driven development model.