Policies strongly support the development of private enterprises, and proactive measures are being accelerated to take effect.

　　Recently, from the central government down to local authorities, various departments have taken concerted action, addressing issues such as optimizing the business environment, easing recruitment and labor‑related challenges, and tackling the difficulties and high costs of financing. These efforts are aimed at bolstering the development of private enterprises and providing strong support to the private sector.

　　Businesses and experts interviewed by the Economic Information Daily said that the concerted rollout of favorable policies and the accelerated implementation of proactive measures will create a more conducive environment for the development of the private sector and private enterprises, thereby bolstering their confidence. Meanwhile, private firms should seize these opportunities and focus on strengthening their innovation capabilities and addressing existing weaknesses.

　　On April 1, the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security, the Ministry of Education, the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce, and other departments jointly launched the 2023 Private Enterprise Service Month campaign, themed “Serving Private Enterprises to Promote Development and Expand Employment to Benefit People’s Livelihoods.” The initiative includes in-depth field visits to private enterprises to assess recruitment and workforce needs, organizes both online and offline job fairs, provides guidance on policy implementation and labor management, and makes every effort to help private firms address challenges in hiring and staffing.

　　At the local level, Shenyang and Dalian in Liaoning Province have recently held conferences on the development of the private sector. Shenyang unveiled three documents supporting private-sector growth, including the “Several Policy Measures of Shenyang Municipality to Promote High-Quality Development of the Private Economy”; meanwhile, Dalian issued the “Implementation Opinions on Establishing a Service and Guarantee Mechanism for the Healthy Development of the Private Economy,” disbursed policy benefits and presented certificates to 30 enterprises, and hosted a centralized project-signing ceremony.

　　Ningxia has launched a comprehensive package of financial measures. The recently issued “Several Measures to Provide Financial Support for the High-Quality Development of the Private Sector Across the Region” outlines 21 specific initiatives across three key areas, aiming to achieve three major objectives: steadily expanding credit availability for private enterprises, significantly enhancing their financing efficiency, and continuously broadening their access to financing channels. These efforts seek to ensure that private enterprises receive equal treatment in accessing financial services and to substantially improve the quality of financial support they receive.

　　In addition, Shaanxi Province recently issued the “Ten Measures to Vigorously Support the High-Quality Development of the Private Economy.” Meanwhile, the “Guangzhou Municipal Regulations on Promoting the Private Economy (Draft for Public Comment)” concluded its public consultation period on April 1.

　　The private sector is a significant achievement of the development of the socialist market economy, a vital driving force behind its growth, and a key player in advancing supply-side structural reform, promoting high-quality development, and building a modernized economic system. “At present, we must further optimize the business environment for private enterprises. The series of measures recently introduced by various departments and localities will help encourage and support the expansion and strengthening of the private sector, thereby boosting market expectations and confidence,” said Liu Xingguo, a researcher at Hunan Automotive Engineering Vocational College.

　　Supporting the development of the private sector, sound policies boost confidence, but only their effective implementation can turn into timely assistance. During recent interviews, reporters also learned that the transmission and execution of proactive measures have further energized the growth of private enterprises.

　　“Recently, the Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region government, the Yinchuan municipal government, and other authorities have signaled their support for the development of the private sector and the improvement of the business environment through issuing policy documents and convening symposiums, bolstering the confidence of private enterprises in future growth,” said Yu Jiangtao, general manager of Ningxia Qinglong Plastic Pipe Co., Ltd., in an interview with a reporter from the Economic Information Daily. He added that, as the economy stabilizes and rebounds, the company has enjoyed robust production and operations since the beginning of this year, with first-quarter capacity utilization exceeding levels seen in previous years.

　　He stated that, although the company currently faces challenges such as a shortage of highly skilled and specialized talent, lengthy payment cycles for project deliveries, and significant financial pressures, government policies at all levels have provided valuable support. The company will seize these opportunities and, through market insights, product innovation, and technological advancement, strive for even stronger growth in the future.

　　Fujian Xinlong Environmental Protection Co., Ltd. is a private enterprise and a leading player in Fujian’s environmental equipment sector. Recently, the Longyan Branch of the Agricultural Bank of China successfully extended a working‑capital loan of RMB 9 million to the company. According to reports, after Xinlong Environmental repaid part of its maturing loans in mid‑January this year, heightened financing needs driven by market recovery prompted the Xindu Sub‑branch of the bank’s Longyan Branch to proactively establish “seamless coordination” with the company, coordinating among all parties to expedite the disbursement of funds. “From application acceptance to final loan disbursement, it took less than two weeks—remarkably swift. The Agricultural Bank has injected much‑needed momentum into our operations,” said a representative of Xinlong Environmental.

　　In 2023, the Private Enterprise Service Month initiative has taken root at the local level and is already yielding initial results. The launch ceremony for Shandong Province’s Private Enterprise Service Month, jointly organized by the Shandong Provincial Department of Human Resources and Social Security, the Shandong Provincial Department of Education, and other agencies, was recently held in Tai’an City, Shandong. According to organizers, the event brought together 210 employers, offering 6,373 job openings across a range of sectors—including mechanical processing and manufacturing, internet services, e‑commerce, and smart home technologies. More than 7,000 job seekers attended to network and engage, with over 1,300 individuals securing employment commitments on the spot.

　　This year’s Government Work Report proposes to protect, in accordance with the law, the property rights and the rights and interests of entrepreneurs of private enterprises; to refine relevant policies; to encourage and support the growth and strengthening of the private sector and private enterprises; to bolster the development of small, medium, and micro-sized enterprises as well as individual business households; to foster a clean and close relationship between government and business; and to create an environment in which enterprises of all forms of ownership can compete fairly and thrive. It also calls for concrete measures and effective policies to stabilize market expectations and boost market confidence.

　　Looking ahead, Liu Xingguo believes that to further optimize the development environment for private enterprises and address the challenges they face, four measures can be taken: first, earnestly implement tax and fee reduction policies; second, increase the supply of low-cost financing and streamline the procedures for accessing such funds; third, strengthen support for innovation and encourage private firms to boost their investment in R&D; and fourth, enhance government procurement policies that favor private enterprises, thereby effectively stimulating and safeguarding demand growth. (Reporters: Zhang Mo, Wang Qi, Shao Luwen)

[Editor-in-charge: Wang Di]

Source: Economic Information Daily