People sell products during a livestreaming activity in Suzhou. [Photo/Suzhou Broadcast System]
Suzhou recently introduced "Measures to Support High-Quality Development of Livestreaming E-commerce in Suzhou".
One notable provision encourages multi-channel network agencies to recruit proficient anchors, presenting them with financial incentives as high as 1.2 million yuan ($164,800).
According to the Suzhou Bureau of Commerce, the year 2022 saw the city's livestreaming e-commerce retail sales soar to a remarkable 55.01 billion yuan, a year-on-year growth of 79.2 percent. To galvanize the nurturing of professionals and institutions, Suzhou orchestrated measures encompassing 17 specific strategies across five key dimensions.
Accomplished anchors achieving over 500 million yuan in sales and meeting Suzhou's tax criteria stand to gain a reward of up to 1 million yuan. An additional reward, capped at 800,000 yuan, awaits those who not only maintain 500 million yuan in sales the following year but also exhibit a growth rate of more than 20 percent.
In pursuit of academic excellence, these measures champion the establishment of livestreaming e-commerce-related courses or programs at higher education institutions and vocational colleges, with one-time financial assistance of up to 200,000 yuan provided to facilitate teaching and practical training endeavors.
The vibrant ecosystem of the livestreaming e-commerce industry has not been overlooked. Leveraging Suzhou's robust industrial advantages, the measures articulate a plan to amplify efforts to attract prominent livestreaming e-commerce enterprises and projects aligned with Suzhou's key industry positioning.
Top 30 stores entering the national sales ranking on mainstream livestreaming e-commerce platforms will enjoy a one-time reward of up to 1 percent of their annual e-commerce transaction value, with the incentive capping at 1 million yuan.
Businesses that employ live broadcasting to market proprietary products will benefit from subsidies equivalent to 30 percent of hardware and software investment, facility leasing, and other expenses, up to an amount of 600,000 yuan, provided that their e-commerce transaction value surpasses 100 million yuan. A second-year reward will be given to those whose annual transaction value remain above 100 million yuan and maintain a growth rate of over 5 percent, capping at 300,000 yuan.
The measures emphasize the encouragement of training institutions in conducting vocational training for internet marketing professionals, with eligible participants enjoying stipends in accordance with stipulated regulations.
Suzhou also advocates for the integration of livestreaming commerce with cultural tourism, catering and accommodation, trade services, venerable brands, the automobile industry, distinctive agriculture, exhibitions, and cross-border e-commerce.
Embracing its comprehensive bonded zone, Suzhou is pioneering a new cross-border e-commerce marketing paradigm through the exploration of "bonded warehouse livestreaming rooms."