China's small and medium-sized enterprises development index reaches 89.0 in fourth quarter of 2024 - China Report

According to data released by the China Association of Small and Medium Enterprises on the 12th, the Small and Medium Enterprise Development Index (SMEDI) for the fourth quarter (October-December) of 2024 is expected to drop by 0.1 points from the third quarter (July-September).
The index rose to 89.0, a rise from the previous year. The operating rate of companies has increased. According to a survey of operating rates targeting a sample of companies, more than 70% of companies had an operating rate of 50% or more in the fourth quarter.
The percentage of companies operating at full capacity rose 6.7 percentage points from the third quarter to 39.4%. Looking at the individual indexes, the Comprehensive Management Index and the Market Index both rose from a decline, increasing by 0.1 percentage points.
The Macroeconomic Feelings Index, Input Index, and Profit Index all leveled off after declining. The Cost Index, Capital Index, and Labor Force Index all continued to decline, each down 0.1 points.
In 2016, the production and business conditions of small and medium-sized enterprises continued to improve, maintaining a recovery trend. By industry, the manufacturing and social services industries turned from a decline to an increase, both of which increased by 0.1 points.
The real estate industry, information and communication software industry, and accommodation and food services industry all saw their prices drop by 0.1 points, 0.1 points, and 0.2 points, respectively.
Among these, the manufacturing and social service industries saw increases in all item-specific indexes, including production, orders, sales, and costs.
"As a result, market demand for small and medium-sized enterprises has gradually improved. The overall economic operation of small and medium-sized enterprises is stable," he said.