Zhongshan is preparing for the application of the Central Government's 2019 special fund for foreign economic and trade development (key market development items), whose subsidized objects involve international market development and brand cultivation on the part of small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) engaging in foreign trade. The subsidy is set to cover items or expenses incurred in 2019, that is, from July 1, 2018 to June 30, 2019.

Concerning the projects for international market development of small- and medium-sized foreign trade enterprises, assistance will be offered mainly to SMEs whose import-export amount is less than $65 million (inclusive) according to the Customs statistics in 2018, including overseas exhibitions, policy financing for small- and medium-sized foreign trade enterprises, and special financing for promoting export business development of small- and medium-sized foreign trade enterprises.

Assistance will be offered to enterprises so that they can acquire international brands and create their own international brands. Among others the maximum of subsidy rate for the acquisition of international brand is no more than 50%, with the maximum subsidy being no more than 4 million yuan; the maximum of subsidy for the establishment of overseas brand marketing network is no more 2 million yuan; with the subsidy for overseas brand promotion being no more than 1 million yuan.