China News Service, Beijing, October 6 (Reporter Liu Wenwen) Currently, the global economic and trade environment is complex and ever-changing, and small and medium-sized enterprises generally face practical problems such as limited market channels, high cross-border costs, and insufficient awareness of international rules. Xu Ningning, chairman of the RCEP Industrial Cooperation Committee, said in a recent interview with reporters that the "Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement" (RCEP) continues to be effective and creates valuable opportunities for small and medium-sized enterprises to explore the Asia-Pacific market.
Make good use of the dividends of the RCEP system to reduce barriers to foreign trade operations
Xu Ningning analyzed that tariff exemptions and origin accumulation rules provide a powerful starting point for small and medium-sized enterprises to optimize cross-border supply chains. Enterprises can flexibly allocate parts procurement sources, reduce import, export and production expenses, and enhance the competitiveness of products in the regional market.
Member states continue to improve customs clearance measures, and the rapid customs clearance mechanism effectively shortens the goods circulation cycle, adapts to small batches and multi-frequency foreign trade orders of small and medium-sized enterprises, and helps fresh food, light industry, and cross-border e-commerce products steadily expand the Asia-Pacific market.
Relying on the digital trade terms of the agreement, small and medium-sized enterprises can directly connect with overseas buyers through online platforms, streamline intermediate trade links, and fully tap the development potential of market segments in Southeast Asia and Oceania.
Focus on new regulations and policy windows and seize opportunities for free trade zone upgrades
The China-ASEAN Free Trade Area 3.0, which is about to take effect, will set up an independent chapter to plan cooperation between small and medium-sized enterprises, and make systematic institutional arrangements around information sharing, digital transformation, and financing guarantees. Xu Ningning said that this design fully highlights the important value of small and medium-sized enterprises in bilateral economic and trade cooperation.
At present, some small and medium-sized enterprises have insufficient understanding of application for certificates of origin and overseas compliance rules, and information barriers restrict the release of policy dividends. Local commerce departments and industry business associations should carry out policy publicity on a regular basis and provide precise practical guidance services. Various market entities should conduct market research in advance, identify development positioning, and seize new cooperation opportunities brought by China-ASEAN economic and trade upgrades.
Xu Ningning believes that fully unleashing the synergy between RCEP and Free Trade Zone 3.0 and filling in the gaps in supporting services can effectively activate the development vitality of small and medium-sized enterprises and help them deeply integrate into the overall development of Asia-Pacific economic integration.
