An employee checks production machinery at a factory in Hefei, Anhui province, on Monday after some companies resumed production. [Photo by Zhao Ming/For China Daily]

The Hefei National High-tech Industrial Development Zone rolled out a series of measures on Feb 7 to ease the financial burden on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the zone amid epidemic prevention and control efforts.

Government departments in the zone aim to reduce costs and risk and ensure job security for SMEs through measures such as rent and tax deductions, financial support, and subsidies.

The zone's science and technology bureau will offer financial support to enterprises and R&D institutions in the zone who provide technology and products helpful to epidemic prevention and control, telecommuting, online education, and medical care.

Manufacturers of epidemic prevention and control products will receive a subsidy equal to 20 percent of newly-purchased production equipment, according to the zone’s economy and trade bureau.

The bureau will help enterprises who failed to deliver goods to overseas buyers due to the epidemic obtain legal proof and provide legal services to international traders who encounter disputes due to the epidemic.

Rents for SMEs in the state-owned asset-type leased area in the zone will be waived for two months, and innovation and entrepreneurship carriers who provide rent deductions for SMEs will enjoy policy support.

SMEs who were badly affected by the epidemic can apply for real estate tax and urban land used tax deductions and exemptions, as well as for tax payment deferrals of up to three months.

The zone’s finance bureau is looking to apply for preferential loans and supporting funds from the provincial and municipal governments for more SMEs in the zone.

In addition, financial institutions in the zone will extend the repayment period for enterprises who have difficulties repaying loans due to the epidemic. They have also been encouraged by the zone’s finance bureau to provide special financial products to manufacturers of epidemic prevention products.

The zone's labor bureau will help resolve labor disputes in accordance with relevant regulations amid epidemic prevention and control efforts and develop online recruitment channels to help applicants.

The new measures will be in effect until June 30.