An alliance to promote the collaborative development of large, small and medium-sized enterprises is launched in Zhangjiang, Pudong New Area on July 12. [Photo/stdaily.com]

An alliance to promote the collaborative development of large, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) was launched in Zhangjiang, Pudong New Area on July 12.

A total of 59 members joined the alliance, including multinational enterprises, leading industrial enterprises, SMEs, and domestic and foreign innovation incubators.

The alliance will serve as a communication platform for enterprises of all sizes and is expected to shift the industrial landscape toward a more collaborative development model through a series of exchange activities, including an entrepreneurship meeting, matchmaking activities and corporation open day.

The resource advantages of large enterprises can help SMEs in terms of design, development, manufacturing, marketing, and brand building; while SMEs that engage in specific fields are more dynamic and can promote the innovative transformation of large enterprises, said Fu Jun, deputy director of the Zhangjiang Management Bureau.

The alliance's main function is to promote new projects, said Sun Weiqin, an official of the alliance.

Earlier this year, US tech giant Microsoft set up its largest research lab for artificial intelligence (AI) and internet of things in "AIsland", a specialized AI hub in Zhangjiang Science City in Shanghai's Pudong New Area.

"We plan to recruit 60 SMEs to the AI research lab every year and explore cutting-edge technologies together," said Zhu Lin, CEO of the lab.

The first participating companies were awarded certificates at the unveiling ceremony.

The first participating companies are awarded certificates on July 12. [Photo/stdaily.com]