The National Development and Reform Commission announced that the relending quota for scientific and technological innovation and technological upgrading this year has been expanded from 500 billion yuan to 1.2 trillion yuan, and the scope of support has been broadened to 14 fields, including electronic information.

According to Mars Finance on May 22, Li Chao, Deputy Director of the Policy Research Office of the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), stated at a press conference that supporting loans for technological upgrading and equipment renewal is one of the important measures to promote the implementation of the "two new" policies (new industries and new business models). In recent years, various departments have focused on the needs of enterprises and continuously optimized and improved relevant policies and measures. For example, in terms of expansion, this year's re-lending quota for technological innovation and technological upgrading has increased from 500 billion yuan to 1.2 trillion yuan, and the scope of support has been expanded to 14 fields, including electronic information, artificial intelligence, facility agriculture, and consumer commercial facilities. These are all key areas with active equipment renewal, which are conducive to the transformation and upgrading of traditional industries or the incubation of new productive forces. At the same time, private SMEs with high R&D investment levels have also been included in the support scope. In terms of quality improvement, this year's re-lending interest rate for technological innovation and technological upgrading has been reduced from 1.75% to 1.25%, and the fiscal subsidy standard for equipment renewal loans has been increased from 1 percentage point to 1.5 percentage points. Next, the NDRC will work with relevant departments to fully promote the implementation and effectiveness of the policies, mainly by carrying out work in three aspects. First, accelerate the selection and dissemination of project lists. Currently, we have initiated the screening of the first batch of projects for 2026, and those approved will be promptly forwarded to relevant financial institutions. Secondly, we are promoting collaboration between government, banks, and enterprises. We are guiding financial institutions to take proactive measures and provide front-line services, actively facilitating financing connections and optimizing loan processing procedures and formalities in accordance with laws and regulations. Thirdly, we are strengthening inter-departmental coordination. We are enhancing policy exchanges and information sharing with local development and reform departments to promptly coordinate and resolve practical issues such as information asymmetry and a lack of risk mitigation measures. (China.org.cn)