Brussels, 09/11/2006 (Agence Europe) - Speaking in Chengdu, China, on Thursday at the opening ceremony of the EU-China Partnership 2006 trade fair for small and medium-sized enterprises, EU Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson called for greater cooperation between European and Chinese small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), saying it would make both China and the EU stronger. SMEs account for 99% of the total number of firms in EU countries and 75% of firms in China, and will play a vital role in future trade between China and European countries, Mandelson said. In its new strategy on the future of trade relations between the EU and China (see EUROPE 9293), the Commission has promised measures to help EU companies, particularly SMEs, get established in China. There are currently more than 5,000 EU companies doing business in China. 'China remains a complex and sometimes difficult place to do business. In that kind of business environment, reliable, confidence-building and mutually beneficial partnerships matter more than ever,' said Mandelson. 'Trade between the EU and China should be in now way the sole preserve of the corporate giants. SMEs are the lifeblood of both our economies,' he added. The EU Trade Commissioner expressed keen interest in securing greater access to the Chinese market for the EU's financial service providers and SMEs. Wan Jifei, Chairman of China International Trade Promotion Committee, urged companies to strengthen cooperation in high tech, energy and environment protection.
The EU-China Partnership 2006 is the largest trade fair in the history of Sino-EU economic cooperation. Over 500 Chinese companies and 450 EU companies are taking part. (eh)