Guangzhou Development Zone Takes the Spotlight at APEC

The 32nd APEC Small and Medium Enterprises Ministerial Meeting and the 21st China International Small and Medium Enterprises Fair were recently held in Guangzhou, alongside a series of supporting events.

Among these was an APEC cross-border investment matchmaking event for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), held on September 1 and 5. Representing Guangzhou Development Zone, Guangzhou Development Zone Investment Group delivered a thematic presentation on cultivating specialized industrial clusters to support SME development and shared success. Drawing on examples from three industrial clusters—new energy and intelligent connected vehicles, intelligent equipment and advanced manufacturing, and testing, inspection and certification—the group showcased to APEC economies the zone’s innovative approaches to helping SMEs achieve major results.

Figures show that Guangzhou Development Zone accounts for 40% of Guangzhou’s total industrial output. It has developed five industrial clusters each worth at least RMB 100 billion and three each worth at least RMB 10 billion. The zone is home to more than 20,000 technology-based enterprises, over 3,000 high-tech enterprises and 94 listed companies. Having attracted more than 330 projects invested in by Fortune Global 500 companies, the zone is embracing greater openness and becoming a hub for cross-border SME investment and cooperation.