“What specific supporting financial policies are there?” “Do SMEs have the possibility of overseas financing?”... On January 10, the Administration of China (Hubei) Pilot Free Trade Zone Yichang Area(hereinafter referred to as the Administration of Yichang Area) held the first event of “Direct Connection to Free Trade”. Representatives from 75 key export-oriented companies communicated face-to-face with financial experts from China(Guangdong) Pilot Free Trade Zone Qianhai & Shekou Area of Shenzhen on problems like overseas financing, etc.

　　In the two years since the establishment of the Yichang Area, the dividends of reform and innovation, opening up and the construction of platforms have gradually emerged, which has stimulated the enthusiasm of the majority of market entities, especially import and export enterprises. To let the enterprises in the area better understand relevant reform policies and integrate into the construction of the area, the Administration officially launched the “Direct Connection to Free Trade” series.

　　At the event site, financial experts from Qianhai Financial Holdings and China Merchants Securities introduced advanced financial services products in coastal cities and answered questions from foreign-funded and foreign trade enterprises. The relevant person in charge of the Administration briefed the audience on the latest developments in the construction of the area and in reform and innovation. He also answered questions concerning the functional platforms like the comprehensive bonded area and the cross-border e-commerce industrial park. Questions, such as what kinds of policies and dividends can be brought to them and how to fully take advantage of the functions of platforms, are of the most concern to enterprises.

　　It is reported that “Direct Connection to Free Trade”series is aimed at building a platform for exchanges between government and enterprises through face-to-face exchanges and interactions and establishing a normalized contact mechanism to better serve the export-oriented economy of Yichang. To accurately match the demands of enterprises, the area has also established a key enterprise service commissioner system to provide “one-on-one” nanny services.

　　The relevant person in charge of the area said that the next step for the “Direct Connection to Free Trade” series is to organize various thematic matching meetings, policy briefing sessions and market promotion activities according to the actual needs of enterprises and providing customized and specialized services so as to let the majority of market entities enjoy the dividends of free trade and contribute to the high quality development of Yichang.