Eighth APEC SME Ministerial Meeting to Be Held in ShanghaiThe Eighth Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Ministerial Meeting on Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) is scheduled to hold from July 29 to 30 in Shanghai.At a press conference held Monday, Zhang Zhigang, vice minister of the State Economic and Trade Commission, said that the meeting will be hosted by China's State Economic and Trade Commission (SETC) and organized by the Shanghai Municipal Government. The theme of the SME, one of the ministerial meetings hosted by China this year, is "New Century, New Challenges: Innovation and Environment for SME Development," according to Zhang. To address the universal problems facing SME, the meeting will focus on the three topics of "advancing technological development", "facilitating financing" and "improving the environment for SME development", Zhang said. The Chinese government has attached great importance to this meeting and Li Rongrong, minister in charge of the SETC, will chair the meeting, Zhang said. The meeting will hold discussions on major issues that affect SME development throughout the Asia-Pacific region and the whole world, making preparations for the ninth APEC informal leadership meeting scheduled for October this year in Shanghai. Suggestions for promoting cooperation among APEC members and the well-being of SME will also be discussed at the event, he added. Approximately 200 participants from all 21 APEC members are expected to attend the meeting, including ministers responsible for SME and officials from the APEC secretariat, he said, adding, achievements of the meeting will be embodied in the Joint Ministerial Statement of Eighth APEC SME Ministerial Meeting. The APEC SME Business Forum, a sideline event, will be held on August 27-31. About 600 SME entrepreneurs from APEC members will attend this non-governmental activity, discussing the issues regarding SME development and prosperity from the perspectives of enterprises. During the forum, an exhibition featuring SME development will also be staged at the Shanghai International convention Center, with the view to displaying the achievements acquired by SME of APEC members, as well as promoting exchanges on the experiences of improving the development environment for SME. Journalists that intend to cover the meeting may register through the website at http//www.eastday.com. |
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