The EU SME Centre in China is expected to reach a wide audience and to develop its activities vis-à-vis SMEs from EU and SMP associated countries. During phase V the Centre is expected to further extend its outreach. EISMEA and the concerned European Commission services of DG GROW will facilitate the transition from phase IV to phase V, including the access to results and tools that are necessary to implement the project funded under this call.

The EU SME Centre in China – phase V will not only further develop the activities of previous phases, especially the ones carried out in the most recent phase IV, but will also provide new business support services that reflect, on the one hand, the needs of SMEs in the post COVID-19 pandemic and, on the other hand, the current EU policy priorities and the state of EU-China economic relations.

Thus, the specific objectives of this call for proposals are:

• Assisting target SMEs to identify the most suitable EU and non-EU (i.e. from Member States and SMP associated countries) business support organisations (hereinafter also referred to as “BSOs”), trade promotion organisation (hereinafter also referred to as “TPOs”) and other service providers at their disposal, that can provide target SMEs with the most appropriate support.
• Assessing target SMEs’ readiness towards establishing and developing their commercial presence on the Chinese market and providing suitable advice on their level of preparedness to internationalise.
• Assisting target SMEs to establish and develop a sustainable commercial presence on the Chinese market (through knowledge acquisition, exports, imports and investments).
• Developing better knowledge of the industrial and business environment in China, especially on key sectors, through training programmes, analytical and advisory activities (reports, studies, seminars, workshops, webinars), business information and logistic support.
• Advising target SMEs on the risks and opportunities of the Chinese market so that they can take informed decisions on envisaged business relations with Chinese partners.
• Improving synergies and best practice sharing among EU (and when applicable non-EU) BSOs/TPOs at European, national and regional level, with the ultimate goal of helping the target SMEs established or intending to do business in China.
• Creating or further developing synergies with other EU funded actions. In particular, cooperation with the China IP SME Helpdesk should be seamless.
• Strengthening European advocacy for EU and SMP associated countries’ business communities, in particular SMEs, in relation to their business activities in China.
• Advising target SMEs already operating in China on how to de-risk their operations, including providing support for SMEs willing to exit the market, in a sustainable way.

Under this call for proposals, the phase V of the Centre will continue to provide general business and legal support services, will offer information about market opportunities and market conditions in China and will provide networking opportunities with relevant potential partners to SMEs with a desire to enter or expand their operations in China.

The scope of this call for proposals is:

• Ensuring the business continuity of the Centre throughout the project.
• Offering in-person, online or hybrid business support services considering their impact in terms of active participation and effectiveness. Experience acquired during the COVID-19 pandemic can serve as a benchmark.
• Identifying new challenges as well as new barriers for SMEs considering expanding their business or operating in the Chinese market, including those related to derisking and market exit. Dedicated activities to help companies adapt to new market conditions shall be proposed.
• Whilst maintaining a generalist approach as SMEs’ “first point of contact”, the Centre shall also focus on a limited set of pre-identified relevant economic sectors to continue improving the offer of value-added services at the disposal of target SMEs. These economic sectors shall correspond to the priorities of the Commission, including those linked to the green and digital transitions.
• Ensuring that the activities of the Centre are coherent with the broader EU-China strategy, in particular the EU’s supply chain resilience, economic security and derisking priorities.
• Promoting coordination and developing fruitful cooperation and synergies with other EU-funded actions (in particular with the China IP SME Helpdesk, the Enterprise Europe Network and the European Cluster Collaboration Platform), EU policy initiatives and other European players (e.g. National Trade Promotion Organisations, Chambers of Commerce, cluster organisations) both in China and in the EU.
• Facilitating direct contacts and networking among and with target SMEs, to support exchange of best practices, cooperation and “Team Europe” spirit.
• Advocating on behalf of target SMEs, by collaborating with relevant stakeholders via oral and written contributions, and by reporting to DG GROW on market access trends and challenges faced by target SMEs in China.
• Improving the Centre’s role as SMEs’ “first point of contact” in China via an effective outreach and communication strategy.

Among the target SMEs, special attention shall be given to SMEs from EU Member States and SMP associated countries, which are not present or do not have significant resources in China.

There are provided mandatory but non-exhaustive list of activities which shall be carried out:

1. Ensuring the business continuity of the Centre throughout the project.
2. Offering in-person, online or hybrid business support services considering their impact in terms of active participation and effectiveness.
3. Identifying new challenges as well as the existence of new barriers for SMEs considering expanding their business or operating in the Chinese market, including those related to de-risking and market exit.
4. Whilst maintaining a generalist approach as SMEs’ “first point of contact”, the Centre shall also focus on a limited set of pre-identified relevant economic sectors to continue improving the offer of value-added services at the disposal of target SMEs.
5. Ensuring that the activities of the Centre are coherent with the broader EU China strategy, in particular the EU’s supply chain resilience, economic security and de-risking priorities.
6. Promoting coordination and developing fruitful cooperation and synergies with other EU-funded actions (in particular with the China IP SME Helpdesk), EU policy initiatives and other European players (e.g. National Trade Promotion Organisations, Chambers of Commerce) both in China and in the EU.
7. Facilitating direct contacts and networking among and with target SMEs, to support exchange of best practices, cooperation and “Team Europe” spirit.
8. Advocating on behalf of target SMEs, by collaborating with relevant stakeholders via oral and written contributions, and by reporting to DG GROW on market access trends and challenges faced by target SMEs in China.
9. Assuming more publicly the role of SMEs’ “first point of contact” via an effective outreach and communication strategy.