On June 27, the 2024 United Nations Micro, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises Day theme event was held simultaneously in Beijing and Chengdu. The overall theme of this year's MSMEs Day is "Small Enterprises, Big Achievements", focusing on the important role of MSMEs in addressing global challenges, and discussing how to enhance the innovation capacity of MSMEs through policy formulation, corporate financing, capacity building, supply chain management and global cooperation.
The event in Beijing was hosted by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the China International Center for Economic and Technical Exchanges (CICETE). Under the theme "Powering a Sustainable Future: MSMEs for Green Growth", the event highlighted the critical role of MSMEs in driving socio-economic growth and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, explored the challenges and opportunities faced by MSMEs, and advocated for government and stakeholders to support MSMEs as a powerhouse for green development.
The Chengdu venue was hosted by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Chengdu High-tech Zone Management Committee. The event was held from 24 June to 30 June in the form of the "UNDP Re:Think MSME Week", which covered the launch of the "MSMEs Sustainable Development Initiative", MSME sustainability training, INSPIRE MSME Sustainable Development Innovation Matchmaking Summit and SPARK Chengdu International Entrepreneurs Carnival. It aims to empower MSMEs, spark ideas, and provide an international stage for the world to see the innovative momentum and important contribution of MSMEs to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.
Opening remarks by UNDP Representative in China, Grace Blanc.
"By empowering MSMEs to thrive, we can not only advance the Sustainable Development Goals, but also build an inclusive economy for all to address the challenges posed by climate change, thereby ensuring a prosperous, harmonious and sustainable future," said UNDP Resident Representative in China. ”
Zhang Yi, Deputy Director of China International Center for Economic and Technical Exchanges, delivered an opening speech.
Zhang Yi, Deputy Director of the China International Center for Economic and Technical Exchanges, said: "Micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) are not only an important engine of economic growth, but also the weakest link in the market ecological chain, facing severe challenges to sustainable development. The China International Center for Economic and Technical Exchanges (CICETE) will strengthen cooperation with international organizations such as the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to help micro, small and medium-sized enterprises in China and other developing countries strengthen their resilience through policy research and advice, public publicity and awareness-raising, the development of more effective and inclusive training courses for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), the promotion of best practices in supporting the development of small and micro enterprises in pilot areas, the establishment of a green development indicator system, and the establishment of international exchange and cooperation platforms for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises. Create the conditions for it to become a driver of green growth. ”
Liang Song, general manager of Du Xiaoman's credit business, delivered an opening speech.
Liang Song, general manager of Du Xiaoman's credit business, said in his speech that many problems such as financing difficulties, slow technology updates, and market uncertainty are the "growing pains" that almost every small, medium and micro enterprise must face. Du Xiaoman's artificial intelligence and big data technology can transform the high-quality credit of small and micro business owners into risk assessment results that can be identified and monitored by financial institutions, and solve their financing problems to a certain extent, so as to promote small and medium-sized enterprises to better achieve green growth.
Zhao Wenqiao, director of the Management Committee of Chengdu High-tech Zone, delivered an opening speech.
Zhao Wenqiao, Director of the Management Committee of Chengdu High-tech Zone, emphasized: "We will promote the integration of sustainable development goals into the whole process of enterprise operation and management, enhance the sustainable development ability of enterprises, expand international vision, promote international cooperation, and further enhance the innovation and global competitiveness of Chengdu High-tech Zone." ”
It is understood that micro, small and medium-sized enterprises account for 98.5% of the total number of enterprises in China, contributing 60% of the country's GDP and three-quarters of jobs (OECD 2022), including women, youth and other vulnerable groups. As a major driver of development, employment and innovation in China and globally, MSMEs play a vital role in transforming the economy to achieve the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including eradicating poverty and avoiding the worst consequences of climate change.