China holds SMEs forum for better regional cooperation

（People's Daily Online）  19:00, June 26, 2013  

Changzhou, June 26 (People's Daily Online) -- As a bridge linking businesses in China and West Asia and North Africa for better cooperation, the Fourth Forum on China-West Asia & North Africa Countries Small & Medium Enterprises (SMEs) Cooperation opens on Wednesday in southeast Chinese city Changzhou, Jiangsu province.

The forum was founded in 2009, which is designed to propel practical cooperation for SMEs of China and the region of West Asia and North Africa region on a platform constructed by parties of both sides.

Western Asian and North African countries share the same development tasks, strategic aims and global challenges with China, said Li Haifeng, vice chairwoman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) in a keynote speech for opening ceremony of the forum.

Both sides are undertaking the urgent task of promoting economic and social progress at home and SMES are the key to accomplish this goal. Governments should take actions to make investment easier and enterprisers should seize the opportunities to tap more foreign markets, added Li.

A string of business contracts are expected to be signed between companies of China and the region. New trends that are crucial to economic development in the future, such as sustainable development and green economy are also covered on the agenda.

In 2012, the economic contracts newly signed between Changzhou and the countries in West Asia and North Africa amounted to 240 million U.S. dollars. Changzhou’s companies have totally invested 13 projects in West Asian and North African countries with contractual investment of 14.25 million U.S. dollars.

This year's event is hosted by the International Department of the CPC Central Committee and the Jiangsu provincial government. About 150 officials, diplomats and entrepreneurs from 19 countries are attending the forum.