This document is the "2025 China SME Overseas Blue Book" jointly released by CIC Consulting and Standard Chartered Bank. It mainly discusses the situation of Chinese SMEs going overseas, helping everyone understand the development status, opportunities, and challenges faced by SMEs in overseas markets.
1. Overview of Chinese SMEs Going Overseas: It reviews the development process of Chinese enterprises going abroad, from the "Going Out" strategy proposed in 1992 - 2000, to the increase in cross-border mergers and acquisitions from 2008 - 2018, and now to the rising willingness of SMEs to go overseas. It also introduces the market entry modes for Chinese enterprises, such as cross-border mergers and acquisitions, establishing overseas sales networks, etc., which companies can choose according to their own circumstances.
2. Analysis of Overseas Market Environment: It analyzes the macro environment of major global economies, such as economic growth, population, and net inflow of foreign investment in regions like East Asia and Africa. It focuses on the characteristics, advantages, and challenges of markets such as Hong Kong, Singapore, Vietnam, and Malaysia. For example, Hong Kong is an important business hub but is greatly affected by the external environment; Singapore has an open financial environment, but market competition is fierce.
3. Analysis of Eight Key Focus Industries: It studies the overseas expansion of SMEs in eight industries, including biomedicine, artificial intelligence, new energy, etc. Each industry has different driving factors and development strategies for going overseas. For example, biomedicine companies go overseas due to profit pressure, while artificial intelligence companies leverage the digital transformation opportunities in emerging economies to expand into overseas markets.
4. Opportunities and Capability Analysis for Chinese SMEs Going Overseas: It points out that the current period is a strategic opportunity for SMEs to go overseas, but they also face challenges such as political risks and capital liquidity. Enterprises need to have capabilities such as international layout, risk avoidance, and market adaptation, and develop in overseas markets through strategies like local cooperation and creating unique products.
