Guangdong sponsors nation's first overseas service center for SMEs

China's first overseas service organization for small and medium-sized (SME) enterprises was unveiled at the fourth China-Germany (Europe) SME Conference, which concluded on June 12 in Jieyang, Guangdong province.

Sponsored by the Jieyang government, the China SME Center (Germany) will provide Chinese SMEs with various services in fields such as personnel, technology, managerial experience, equipment, and brand management, with the goal of encouraging Chinese SMEs to expand overseas while bringing overseas firms to China.

The fourth China-Germany (Europe) SME Conference is held in Jieyang, Guangdong province on June 11-12. [Photo/miit.gov.cn]

The service center is a result of the two-day event. In addition to promoting collaboration between Chinese and European companies and bringing German technical engineers to China, the conference also helps facilitate the commercial application of European science and technology in China. 

The annual exchange event attracted nearly 200 European SMEs to the southern Chinese city, who brought their cutting-edge technology and state-of-the-art equipment to explore collaboration opportunities with local businesses.

Over the last three years, the event has been aimed at strengthening and facilitating bilateral cooperation and has received more than 450 overseas enterprises seeking cooperation opportunities, with around 630 domestic firms taking part.

With 100 projects either being signed or agreed upon, the exchange event has become a window into China for competitive European manufacturers.

As the host city, Jieyang has so far established relations with 100 industrial associations and 28 scientific research institutions in Europe, a big step forward in promoting the local manufacturing industry.

The establishment of a technology innovation center in Jieyang has also contributed to closer connections between European high-tech institutes and Chinese SMEs and the Chinese market.

According to the mayor of Jieyang, Ye Niuping, the city will become more open-minded and strive to break new ground in opening-up on all fronts in order to make the city a new tent pole for growth in eastern Guangdong province.