Hong Kong Economic Herald: 

We have noticed that Tianjin has introduced many measures in recent years to support the development of the private economy. Recently, Tianjin has also launched activities to visit and serve private enterprises. What are the typical practices Tianjin is taking to optimize the business environment and serve the private economy? And what are the next steps in focusing on the concerns of enterprises? Thank you.

Zhang Gong: 

Thank you. This is a very important question. I would like to invite Mr. Dai, director of the Tianjin Development and Reform Commission, to answer.

Dai Yongkang:

Thank you very much for your interest in Tianjin's business environment and private economy. As you mentioned, we have long been committed to working unswervingly both to consolidate and develop the public sector and encourage, support, and guide development of the non-public sector, treating private enterprises and entrepreneurs as our own family and serving the development of enterprises with care and affection. Last year in particular, we held a citywide high-quality development conference for the private economy and hosted the China Private Enterprises Investment and Financing Conference , and proposed a package of support measures addressing the concerns of private enterprises. Last year, the growth of the added value of the private economy increased by 4.5 percentage points compared to the previous year. There were more than 300,000 newly registered private business entities throughout the year, an increase of 13.3% over the previous year, accounting for 99% of the newly registered business entities in the city. The quality of our private economy development has also been relatively good, with tax revenue growing by 26.1%.

The term "our own" conveys a sense of respect and recognition, and it is the essence of our service and commitment. In the following steps, we will focus on addressing the concerns of enterprises and provide full support for the growth of the private economy. We will continuously optimize the development environment, provide greater room for private enterprises to thrive within major strategic implementations, ensure more stable expectations for private enterprises during comprehensive and deep-rooted reforms, and enhance precise services to give private enterprises a stronger sense of accomplishment. We will demonstrate a clear stance of support for "our own," employ effective measures in service delivery, fulfill our commitments, and enable businesses to benefit and gain confidence. Our efforts to promote the development of the private economy will primarily revolve around three aspects:

First, support should be substantial. We aim to expand the space for the development of the private economy, create more opportunities, and provide a broader stage. This support includes assisting large enterprises in participating in Tianjin's major projects and key tasks, as well as facilitating the integration of small- and medium-sized private enterprises into the industrial chain so as to provide necessary support and complement large enterprises and major projects. This will empower all types of business entities to actively contribute in various areas, including major project construction, technological innovation, industrial cluster development, and domestic and international market expansion.

Second, actions should be prompt. We deeply understand that time is a cost for businesses. Therefore, we will intensify efforts to reform the business environment and further enhance the delegation of powers to streamline administration. Building upon the foundation of removing barriers to market entry, we will address the challenges faced in business operations. This includes promoting the direct cancellation of approval requirements, shifting from approval-based processes to record-filing systems, implementing commitment-based notifications, and optimizing the classification of approval services. We will vigorously promote initiatives such as immediate processing, one-stop services, online procedures, and integrated solutions. Furthermore, we will continue to advance online problem-solving measures in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, aiming to reduce time costs for enterprises.

Third, services should be delivered with warmth. We will continue to carry out various activities, such as visiting and serving enterprises, to keep in close contact with private businesses. We aim to truly fulfill our role as guardians of enterprise development, facilitators of resource connections, and providers of attentive and reliable services. Additionally, we will vigorously promote the spirit of Tianjin merchants in the new era, striving to create a positive social atmosphere that respects entrepreneurs and innovators.

That concludes my introduction. Thank you.