China Electronics News:
SMEs are the main force driving national social-economic development, and the CPC Central Committee and the State Council have paid much attention to them by releasing a slew of supportive measures that help them overcome difficulties. How is the current growth of these enterprises? What measures will the MIIT take to further promote SMEs' development?
Tian Yulong:
Thank you for your questions. The development of SMEs remains a public concern, and I have elaborated on them, however, I will add some more.
As I mentioned just now, the CPC Central Committee and the State Council have attached much attention to SMEs – the mainstay of China's social-economic development – and helped them overcome difficulties while stimulating their growth. This was our main task last year. Under the guidance of the State Council's leading group on the development of SMEs, the MIIT, in coordination with other departments and local authorities, has yielded notable results. Focusing on policy framework, services system and the development environment, we prioritized the two areas of financing and protecting SMEs' rights and interests, striving to enhance their capacity. Moreover, we adopted comprehensive policies including cutting taxes and fees, providing more financial support and better services; fostering and empowering high-quality SMEs to promote their steady and healthy development.
According to current statistical data, revenues and total profits of industrial SMEs above designated size rose 20.7% and 28.2% respectively, with average two-year growth of 9.8% and 17.1% respectively. Therefore, generally, it demonstrates a steady and healthy momentum. Big data based on monitoring small and micro businesses' power consumption also showed that from January to November of last year, the power consumption of these firms increased 9.6% year-on-year, and 49.4% of these firms registered a higher power consumption compared to the same period of the previous year, reflecting relatively high productivity. Generally speaking, the SMEs grew well, in spite of some difficulties. The micro and small businesses, in particular, are still facing problems concerning the external industrial chain, as well as pandemic prevention and control, and are in need of improvement.
Next, we will remain focused on the development of SMEs.
First, we will ensure stability and boost the steady and healthy development of SMEs. We will draft more targeted policies and regulations, and continue carrying out the established policies and measures to help them overcome difficulties.
Second, we will promote the high-quality development of SMEs, particularly specialized, refined, characteristic and innovative SMEs. We will improve their innovative capacity and specialized level, as well as their ability to address difficulties so as to achieve sustainable development.
Third, we will strengthen services. The government should coordinate with other sectors and local authorities to implement more supportive policies and establish more service systems. Continued efforts should be made to address issues regarding offering rewards or subsidies to qualified financing guarantee agencies, promoting the targeted docking of enterprises and financial institutions, expanding financing channels, as well as mitigating difficulties faced by the SMEs in accessing affordable financing, so as to ensure the measures are targeted and effective.
Fourth, we will further improve the development environment for SMEs and take effective measures to protect their lawful rights and interests. We have issued guideline on the development of SMEs during the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-2025), and will continue to improve our policies by making further assessments and supervising the business environment. We will fully implement the Regulation on Ensuring Payments to Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises to protect their lawful rights and interests. We also call on people from all walks of life to protect SMEs' lawful rights and interests and further improve the long-term mechanism for preventing and resolving payment arrears to SMEs, continue taking special actions to clear arrears owed to SMEs, and ensure the actual implementation of these regulations, policies and measures to benefit the SMEs and help them grow steadily and rapidly. Thank you.
