BOC in push to support small firms

Bank of China Ltd says it is pushing to help small and medium-sized Chinese companies looking for market share, advanced technologies and management expertise overseas, in an initiative aimed at boosting cross-border investment and trade cooperation with their foreign counterparts.

Drawing on its ties with the government, the bank said it has built databases of information on Chinese small and medium-sized enterprises in different provinces.

The BOC said it is offering a series of matchmaking services to Chinese and foreign SMEs according to their demands. This allows them to conduct video conversations at the initial stage of contact, followed by face-to-face and one-on-one communication. It also allows on site visits, and a package of customized financial services during the life cycle of Chinese SMEs, once they reach cooperation agreements with their foreign counterparts.