The reporter learned from the Department of Economy and Information Technology that the 2024 list of Sichuan Province's special small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) industrial clusters was recently announced. It includes 36 clusters, such as the Chongzhou Smart Home Industry Cluster and the Pidu District Electromagnetic Space Security Industry Cluster.

Most SMEs are small in scale, scattered in distribution, and relatively weak in strength. Their cluster development faces challenges in areas such as integrated innovation, digital transformation, governance, and services. Collaboration is key to overcoming these challenges effectively. "Provincial-level special SME industrial clusters act as a reserve force for developing national clusters. With a focus on the unique strengths of county-level economies and nurturing provincial clusters tailored to local needs, these clusters will maximize resource pooling, enhance competitive edges, and propel the growth of leading industries," explained an official in charge from the Department of Economy and Information Technology. The official noted that the number of clusters has doubled compared to the first 17 recognized in 2023. The 36 industrial clusters come from 17 cities (prefectures) and span six advantageous industries: electronic information, equipment manufacturing, food and light textiles, energy and chemicals, advanced materials, and pharmaceutical health. In 2023, these industrial clusters collectively generated an output value exceeding 370 billion yuan, bringing together over 3,260 companies, including more than 1,200 high-quality SMEs, such as specialized and sophisticated SMEs and "little giant" enterprises, champions in specific manufacturing sectors, among others.

Looking ahead, Sichuan Province will prioritize strategies such as bolstering the competitive advantages of the clusters' leading industries, igniting innovation within the clusters, driving their digital upgrades, hastening green and low-carbon transitions, expanding open collaborations, and enhancing cluster governance and service capabilities, to foster the growth and development of the special SME industrial clusters.