The National Development and Reform Commission and 12 administrations recently issued a guideline to support the healthy growth of new business modes in a bid to spur consumer spending and create more jobs nationwide.

It pledged to offer greater support to self-employed individuals, including those using e-commerce and live-streaming platforms, for reducing entrepreneurship costs. Efforts will be stepped up to promote the micro economy and encourage side businesses. The guideline also listed measures to explore new modes of online services, accelerate the digital transformation of industries and foster new modes in the sharing economy.

Traditional individual businesses, such as shops or stalls, have solved many people's employment problems and contributed to social development. At the same time, Internet development has built a larger stage for the expansion of the economy.

To support the development of new business patterns, more space should be provided at the policy level for entrepreneurship. For example, administrations should design solutions for possible problems related to consumers' rights. Supervisory departments need to develop new methods and improve services according to individual economy characteristics.

This is an edited excerpt of an article originally published in Economic Daily on July 20

(Print Edition Title: New Impetus)