Comparison of International Experiences in Service Systems for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises

Author: Small and Medium Enterprises Department, National Development and Reform Commission
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2003-10-01
Features: In most developing countries, micro and small enterprises in the private sector provide the majority of employment opportunities. To encourage economic growth through the private sector, thereby increasing employment and income, the crucial role of governments in developing countries is to provide and create policies and a favorable environment that promote the development of small and medium enterprises. At the same time, after establishing a favorable basic policy environment for the development of small and medium enterprises, the most critical next step is to establish an effective business service system① to provide business development resources for emerging, growth-oriented small and medium enterprises. From late February to early March 2000, the Small and Medium Enterprises Department of the former State Economic and Trade Commission of China and the Department for International Development of the UK government held a seminar in Beijing. The meeting and related papers provided substantial information on this important next step. The papers, meeting records, and other documents included in this collection elaborate on various approaches to developing a business service system for small and medium enterprises in China and relevant international experiences. The UK government's Department for International Development contributed to the development of China's business service system for small and medium enterprises through the UK-China State-Owned Enterprise Reform and Enterprise Development Project (1999–2004). The former State Economic and Trade Commission of China's Small and Medium Enterprises Department, now the Small and Medium Enterprises Department of the National Development and Reform Commission, has been actively engaged in pilot projects, providing important experience for the construction and implementation of an effective business service system for small and medium enterprises. The relevant literature compiled here summarizes China's experience to date and compares it with the development status of small and medium enterprises internationally.