The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology and nine other ministries endorsed the 15th Five-Year Plan for Promoting SME Development, calling for diversified financial products and an integrated financing facilitation system linking loans, equity, bonds, insurance and guarantees. The plan mandates SME financing promotion targeted at key industrial chains, expands insurance product development to cover SMEs' R&D, commercialization and industrialization risk needs, and supports futures fir

Japanese trading house shares rose on Thursday after Berkshire Hathaway CEO Greg Abel said the firm plans to hold its stakes in five major trading houses for decades. The group was among the top risers in TOPIX components: Mitsubishi Corp climbed as much as 4.5% to its highest level since May, while Sumitomo, Mitsui & Co, Itochu and Marubeni each gained over 2.5%. Berkshire currently owns roughly 10% of each company. Abel, who succeeded Buffett as CEO in January, described the holdings as long-term in a CNBC interview. The stocks have benefited since Berkshire disclosed the positions in 2020; analysts say Abel’s reaffirmation could rekindle investor buying interest.

Putin: Russian forces are accelerating their pace of advance in the special operation theater.