2.9. EU SME Centre in China – phase IV

Expected results are:

• Improved information services and helpdesk to SMEs on new business opportunities in China
• Development of awareness-raising and knowledge of EU SMEs on China's large and complex market
• Larger access of SMEs to publications, webinars and trainings on how to develop business in China

Qualitative and quantitative indicators for the action are as follows:

• Number of SMEs’ enquiries (breakdown per country and sector) and contacts of the EU SME Centre for information and advice purpose;
• Number of persons/SMEs trained through webinars and workshops;
• Number of online publications (and number downloaded);
• Number of recipients of EU-SME Centre’s newsletters;
• Number and audience of events organized in both the EU and China to inform EU SMEs.

Scope

The action will improve the access of European SMEs to the Chinese market by providing them with a first line and comprehensive range of hands-on support services (publications, practical training, ask-the-expert service, webinars…) getting them ready to do business in China.

The action will further develop its audience and activities in order to:

• assess European SMEs’ readiness towards establishing and developing their commercial presence in the Chinese market (through exports and/or investments) by providing EU added-value support services;
• improve synergies with other EU projects and best practice sharing at the European, national and regional EU business association levels, with the ultimate goal to support European business advocacy in China and benefit EU SMEs that intend to do business in China.

Through an online platform, SMEs will have access to:

• relevant publications giving practical advice on how to develop their presence on the Chinese market,
• an ‘ask-the-expert service’ providing a first line of answer to more specific questions (legal, standardisation and distribution issues, notably through e-commerce…),
• webinars,
• practical business trainings.