On June 28, the Second International SME Investment and Financing Forum was held in Guangdong.The Forum was hosted by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, the State Administration for Market Regulation and the People’s Government of Guangdong Province and was organized by SZSE.

Themed “Technology-led, Innovation-driven, Capital Market Empowers SMEs Toward Unique and Sophisticated Development”, the Forum aims to give better play to the synergy of direct and indirect financing, serve small and medium enterprises (SMEs)indeepeningthecommunication and cooperation in international investment and financing, and promote sound circulation of technology, industries and capital.

Relevant officials of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, CSRC, China National Intellectual Property Administration, SZSE, China Construction Bank and the China SME Development Fund and representatives of securities investment institutions attended the Forum and gave keynote speeches. A total of 577 specialized and sophisticated enterprises that produce new and unique products who arelisted on SZSE, the Shanghai Stock Exchange and the Beijing Stock Exchange jointly signed and released the Initiative to Focus on Main Business, Refine It and Stay Committed to Developing into Specialized and Sophisticated Enterprises that Produce New and Unique products. The Forum also held the first “One Month One Chain” investment and financing roadshow for special and sophisticated SMEs producing new and unique products. Six such SMEs held an on-the-spot investment and financing roadshow via SZSE’s V-Next platform.

During his inspection visit to Guangdong,General Secretary Xi  emphasized that China should further support small and medium-sized enterprises in innovation and nurture more innovative  enterprises featuring independent intellectual property rights and core competitiveness. SZSE has always maintained close cooperation with the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology in serving the development of SMEs. SZSE has organized the International SME Investment and Financing Forum for two years straight. Next, SZSE will, under the leadership of CSRC and the support of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, unswervingly consolidate and develop the public sector, and unswervingly encourage, support, and guidethedevelopment of the non-public sector. We will adhere to the market-oriented, rule-of-law-based and international direction, implement in depth the national innovation-driven development strategy, and highlight the importance of supporting the building of self-reliance and strength in high-level science and technology. Meanwhile, we will actively serve the development of the modern industrial system and create a favorable market environment to the innovation-oriented development of SMEs.

First, with supporting the building of self-reliance and strength in high-level science and technology as the focus, we will refine the direct financing mechanism.We will further improve market functions, raise the proportion of direct financing, and increase targeted policy and product supply to key areas such as advanced manufacturing, digital economy and green and low-carbon industries. We will keep strengthening the capabilities to serve enterprises in strategic emerging industries, growth innovators and startups and SMEs producing new and unique products using special and sophisticated technologiesand guide innovation resources to flow into key areas that receive national support.

Second, with establishing a digital and intelligent service platform as the support, we will deepen the innovation service system.We will work with state ministries and commissions, local governments, high-tech industrial parks and scientific research institutes to actively establish a digital and intelligent platform that serves the full lifecycle of enterprises from “IP to IPO to sustainable development after listing”. We will extend the capital market service chain and accompany and guide SMEs in stable development. We will support enterprises focusing on main business, continuing innovation and standardizing operations and serve enterprisesinmaking good use of supporting policies and shouldering more social responsibilities. We will help SMEs play a more important role in improving the stability of industrial chains and supply chains and promoting economic and social development.

Third, with advancing the integrated development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area as the key, we will continue to promote opening up.We will fully leverage SZSE’s position advantage of “basing in the Greater Bay Area and facing the world”. We will, through mutual product listing, mechanism collaboration, facility connection and resource sharing, keep raising the standard of opening up, actively promote communication and cooperation in international investment and financing, and support SMEs in achieving better results in international win-win cooperation and high-quality development.