Small and medium-sized enterprises that are specialized, refined, distinctive and innovative are a vital force for strengthening and completing industrial chains, advancing new industrialization and developing new quality productive forces. As a major manufacturing province, Jiangsu has long worked to build a public service system for SMEs to promote their development, guiding a large number of small and medium-sized enterprises to transform toward green, intelligent and high-end directions and to keep firmly on the path of "specialization, refinement, distinctiveness and innovation." By the end of 2025, the number of national-level specialized, refined, distinctive and innovative "little giant" enterprises created by above-scale small and medium-sized industrial enterprises in Jiangsu had exceeded 3,000, ranking first in the country. Standing at a new starting point, how to implement targeted policies and cultivate enterprises in tiers so that specialized, refined, distinctive and innovative enterprises are truly deep in "specialization," solid in "refinement," distinctive in "characteristics" and sustained in "innovation" is an important issue before us.

Strengthen support for scientific and technological innovation so enterprises have technology to specialize in. The core of specialized, refined, distinctive and innovative enterprises lies in "specialization" and "innovation." Localities should further increase investment in scientific research and provide guidance for enterprises to seize development opportunities in the internet, big data, artificial intelligence and future industries, enabling them to create more unique and unmatched skills. They should further guide and encourage enterprises to strengthen independent innovation, focus on their main business and sharpen their internal strengths, accumulating new momentum for overcoming obstacles and growing stronger. They should actively support enterprises in leading or participating in the creation of innovation centers, technology centers and other innovation platforms to achieve shared, win-win and rapid development.

Focus on building a tiered cultivation system so enterprises have a ladder to climb. At present, cultivating and expanding specialized, refined, distinctive and innovative enterprises has shifted from comparing quantity to comparing quality, and dynamic management with entry and exit mechanisms is being implemented. Localities should further improve the full-cycle cultivation system of selecting seeds, raising seedlings and nurturing excellence, establish a tiered cultivation system from innovative small and medium-sized enterprises to specialized, refined, distinctive and innovative small and medium-sized enterprises to specialized, refined, distinctive and innovative "little giant" enterprises, and promote the growth of "little giants" into manufacturing single champions and unicorn enterprises. At the same time, following the principle of reserving a batch, cultivating a batch and expanding a batch, they should implement targeted policies by tier and category, create an ongoing development atmosphere of catching up and competing to excel, and give full play to the leading goose effect.

Optimize the supply of comprehensive services so enterprises can accomplish great things. A sound development environment is the fertile soil for the healthy growth of specialized, refined, distinctive and innovative small and medium-sized enterprises. Localities should adapt to local conditions, tailor special service packages for enterprises and deliver timely help and essential support where it is most needed. They should start from policy, innovation, management, talent and finance to provide full-life-cycle services for enterprises and open up the last mile for the implementation of policies, technology, management and service resources. They should establish a service commissioner mechanism to achieve one-on-one precise policy matching and respond to every request, and give preferential support in land use indicators, talent security and children's education so that enterprises can develop without worries. Cultivating and expanding specialized, refined, distinctive and innovative enterprises is a systematic project that requires local governments to maintain strategic focus, deliver precise support and work persistently over time, so that small entities can unleash great energy and "specialization, refinement, distinctiveness and innovation" can truly grow into a golden calling card for local high-quality development.