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Shanghai rolled out 12 measures on Saturday to assist the healthy development of technological SMEs amid a COVID-19 surge in the city. 

The announcement includes the expedited approval of applications for and cashing in of science and technology innovation vouchers worth up to 500,000 yuan ($78,578) for each enterprise, according to the Science and Technology Commission of Shanghai Municipality.

The voucher was first offered in 2017 to innovative enterprises for procuring services from professional institutions to cut their research and development costs. Its ceiling was raised from 300,000 yuan to 500,000 yuan in 2020. 

The new measures also included the implementation of rent reliefs and 100 percent additional tax deductions on R&D costs of enterprises.

Financial institutions were also encouraged to increase credit support and reduce loan interest rates for technological SMEs.

The policies were put into action on Saturday and will remain effective until December 31, 2022. 

Source: https://news.cgtn.com/news/2022-04-03/Shanghai-boosts-support-for-development-of-technology-SMEs--18VpB117MnS/index.html