UNDP MSME Day 2025 Successfully Held in Beijing

UNDP MSME Day 2025 Successfully Held in Beijing

The UNDP MSME Day 2025 was successfully held in Beijing. The event was co-hosted by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the China International Center for Economic and Technical Exchanges, with Du Xiaoman Technology (Beijing) Co., Ltd. as a supporting partner. 

With the theme “Green Innovation Empowering MSME Resilience – Advancing the Sustainable Development Goals,” the event brought together representatives from government departments, industry associations, financial institutions, and relevant United Nations agencies. Participants explored how policy guidance and support, industry standard development, financial service innovation, and the establishment of multi-stakeholder cooperation mechanisms can help create a more enabling environment for MSMEs, promote inclusive socio-economic growth, and position them as a vital force in advancing sustainable development.

In his opening remarks, Mr. James George, Deputy Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in China, noted that “Every year, we celebrate the United Nations Micro-, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises Day. It is an important opportunity for us to reflect on the critical role that MSMEs play in driving inclusive, resilient, and sustainable development. It is also an occasion to share experiences, assess progress, and explore new pathways and approaches to help MSMEs access the financial resources, policy support, and enabling environment they need to thrive.” 

In her address, Ms. Li Shuyin, Deputy Director-General of the China International Center for Economic and Technical Exchanges(CICETE), emphasized that the green transformation practices of China's MSMEs are providing a "Chinese solution" for developing countries to address climate challenges and promote sustainable development. As the National Implementing Partner of the UNDP and other international organizations in China, CICETE will continue to play its role as a practitioner of international development cooperation and take concrete actions to promote the in-depth integration of rural revitalization and the global sustainable development goals.

Vice President Liang Song of Du Xiaoman pointed out in his speech that small, micro, and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are the foundational force of the economic system and play an important role in promoting China’s dual-carbon strategy. However, external environment, technological innovation, and capital shortages pose challenges to SMEs. Survey data show that 65% of SME owners list financing difficulties as the primary obstacle to their development. In addressing the financing difficulties faced by SMEs, fintech companies are becoming an important force.

He added in 2024, Du Xiaoman provided 38.6 billion RMB in low-interest loans to 1.12 million small and micro enterprises and individual businesses, waived over 300 million RMB in loan interest for 1.35 million small and micro clients, and by the end of 2024, Du Xiaoman has cumulatively waived over 2.4 billion RMB in loan interest for 7 million small and micro users.

During the keynote speeches and panel discussions, representatives from UN agencies, governments, industry associations, and international organizations shared how to provide policy and financial support for the green innovation and sustainable development of small, micro, and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). They explored practical experiences and case studies on supporting the green development of SMEs, emphasizing the importance of an “SME-friendly” ecological environment.

In his keynote speech, Zhang Xiaohui, Chief Economist of the SME Development Promotion Center at the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, stated that the core formula for the high-quality development of SMEs is “building a foundation with specialization, refinement, uniqueness, and innovation; empowering transformation through digital intelligence; and expanding horizons through international cooperation.” 

Looking ahead, the key to new breakthroughs lies in fully unlocking the integration of public big data with SMEs and firmly following the path of specialized and innovative development. This will give rise to new productive forces composed of new qualities, new standards, new capabilities, and new characteristics, which will lead the way in unleashing China’s innovation potential.

Simon Cooper, Food Systems Communications Specialist at the United Nations Development Programme, emphasized from a global perspective that small, micro, and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are the backbone of the global economy and play a crucial role in building sustainable food systems. He proposed four key pathways to empower SMEs and called for the establishment of a policy-driven, inclusively rooted ecosystem to unlock the transformative potential of SMEs.

During the knowledge product introduction segment, Dr. Mohsen Gul, Policy Specialist at the UNDP Regional Hub in Bangkok, together with Chen Jing, Vice President of the China Association of Small and Medium Enterprises, jointly presented the preliminary research findings of the “Green and Just Transition of China’s Small, Micro, and Medium Enterprises.” The study offers an in-depth analysis of the opportunities and challenges faced by China’s SMEs in their sustainable development transition, providing practical guidance for policymakers and businesses. 

Subsequently, Xiao Weijia, Assistant Project Officer at the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS), introduced how small, micro, and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) play a vital role in the UN’s efforts to build sustainable supply chains, as well as the “Supplier Resource Center.” This platform aims to integrate high-quality resources through digital means, helping SMEs connect more efficiently with market opportunities, strengthen partnerships, and unlock collaboration potential.

During the roundtable discussion, representatives from Sustainable Fitch, the High-Tech Industry Branch of the China Association of Small and Medium Enterprises, the ESG Investment Center of the Beijing Institute of Green Finance and Sustainable Development, the Rural Development Institute of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, and the social enterprise Odysseus Tech shared their progress and achievements. 

The discussion focused on “Unlocking Policy and Financial Empowerment for Green Innovation in SMEs,” exploring how cross-sector collaboration mechanisms can provide systemic support for the green transition of SMEs and jointly build an innovative ecosystem for sustainable development. The session was moderated by Zhang Weidong, Assistant Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Programme in China.  

In the afternoon, the event featured a special session titled “Sharing and Showcasing Green Innovation Achievements of Small, Micro, and Medium Enterprises.” Seven outstanding representatives from various industries shared their innovative products and practical experiences in green development, covering areas such as green production and manufacturing, biodegradable materials, and circular agriculture. This showcased the vitality and potential of SMEs in driving green innovation and sustainable development. 

Experts and scholars from financial investment institutions, development organizations, and industry research bodies engaged in in-depth discussions and professional analyses on the challenges and breakthrough opportunities for SMEs’ green development, providing multidimensional guidance on policy support, financing pathways, and capacity building. 

Additionally, an open-air exhibition area was set up on the lawn of the United Nations building, where participating enterprises showcased their innovative green production and manufacturing products. They engaged in face-to-face interactions with attendees, further promoting peer exchanges, information sharing, and resource connectivity.