**Abstract**
Over 600 Chinese small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), each paying an entrance fee of more than 20,000 yuan, participated in the Boao Forum for Asia 2013 SME Forum. Among them were a group of determined entrepreneurs who were eager to make the most of their three-day participation. They actively sought support from both Chinese and foreign government agencies and trade promotion organizations during the event, aiming to address challenges related to internationalization.
Faced with numerous questions from SMEs about expanding overseas, officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Commerce provided guidance, promising to introduce further measures to support Chinese SMEs in going global.
**SMEs "Seeking Assistance"**
On the afternoon of January 18, Duan Qiyun arrived early at the venue and took a seat in the front row of a sub-forum on China-ASEAN trade. His goal was clear: to connect with speakers and gain insights into international opportunities. As the general manager of Baoshan Blu-ray New Energy Development Co., Ltd. in Yunnan, he was planning to invest in Laos to produce LED lights, attracted by the country’s low labor costs—Lao workers earn about 250 yuan per month, compared to 2,500 yuan domestically. However, he was concerned about potential tariff barriers. If products made in Myanmar had to be exported back to China or sent to Cambodia, high tariffs could make the venture unprofitable.
Duan wanted to meet the Laotian Commercial Counsellor in China, Kanban Shengtongna, to seek solutions and also consult Liu Ping, deputy director of the Customs Office of the General Administration of Customs, on how to take advantage of the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area’s tariff preferences.
Duan wasn’t alone in his efforts. On the evening of January 17, Fu Yonglie, president of Liaoning Renbang Group, organized an English-language press conference aimed at ASEAN business officials, not media reporters. He promoted his cement products and manufacturing equipment, hoping to attract local investment support. He planned to invest in ASEAN countries and needed government backing, so he used the event to showcase his commitment.
In contrast, a businessman from Changshu, engaged in oil well drilling, took a more sophisticated approach. He managed to meet the first Russian former Prime Minister, Nikolaevich, to discuss cooperation and had other companies represent his products in Russia.
These actions highlighted the limited internationalization capabilities of many SMEs, as they relied heavily on government support before taking major steps abroad. Fu Yonglie, who had previously visited projects in Mongolia, Vietnam, and Indonesia, admitted that without government “endorsement,†he felt hesitant to proceed.
**Government Departments "Helping Out"**
Tang Jiqiang, director of the Chengdu National High-Tech Zone Development Planning Bureau, shared valuable experience on supporting SMEs in going global. Many software companies in the zone engage in overseas outsourcing and are high-tech SMEs with dozens to hundreds of employees. Tang emphasized that the core advantage of the high-tech zone is its excellent government services, which help SMEs navigate complex administrative procedures efficiently.
He gave the example of Nibbi, a company that developed a popular game called "Galaxy Empire" on Apple's App Store. The game once topped the charts, surpassing "Angry Birds." However, it faced foreign exchange control issues, with employees unable to pay wages despite significant revenue in Hong Kong accounts. The high-tech zone eventually coordinated with government departments like the State Administration of Foreign Exchange (SAFE) to resolve the issue.
In response to the challenges raised by SMEs at the forum, officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Commerce reaffirmed their commitment to introducing new measures to guide SMEs internationally.
Yu Jianhua, Assistant Minister of the Ministry of Commerce, announced that the ministry has set up a special fund to assist SMEs in exploring overseas markets. It encourages the use of e-commerce to expand globally and aims to broaden financing channels for foreign trade enterprises. Additionally, it provides financial guarantee subsidies to SMEs.
The Ministry of Commerce also promotes the establishment of overseas economic cooperation zones to help Chinese SMEs go global. In the future, it plans to expand international cooperation through multilateral platforms like BRICS and APEC, as well as bilateral channels, to create more dialogue and exchange opportunities for SMEs. It also focuses on emerging fields such as new energy, green technology, and service outsourcing, aiming to generate more business opportunities.
Le Yucheng, Assistant Minister of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, offered four key recommendations for SME internationalization: conduct thorough market research, strengthen security capabilities, enhance cooperation with local chambers and embassies, and improve public relations by being more proactive and socially responsible. He emphasized the importance of building win-win relationships and contributing positively to local communities.
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