China supports entrepreneurship in rural regions

Graduates seek prospects at a job fair in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province. [Photo/China Daily]

BEIJING - China will support migrant workers, college graduates and army veterans who wish to return to their rural hometowns to start new businesses, part of a national campaign to boost entrepreneurship and employment.

The government will simplify business registration procedures for them, give tax breaks, cut administration fees, and subsidize business loans, according to a statement released after an executive meeting of the State Council, China's cabinet presided over by Premier Li Keqiang.

Meanwhile, the government will also trial collective bonds by small companies to try to alleviate credit difficulties that such companies often face.

The government will also encourage e-commerce in rural areas and offer equal access to public services such as social insurance, housing, education and health care for people seeking new careers or business development in rural regions.

Wednesday's cabinet meeting also looked at on cross-border e-commerce, planning to simplify customs procedure and encourage companies to expand overseas.

Private capital, foreign and domestic banks, as well as Internet companies will be allowed to set up "consumption finance" firms, which can extend small loans to consumers.

Alibaba already offers consumers loans based to buy goods on its online shopping site Taobao, allowing them to repay the loans through an instalment plan.

The cabinet will speed up the use of fiscal funds and better coordinate the use of surplus funds for projects in areas such as science, education, and agriculture.