SMEs to be new engine for regional cooperation

Mohammad Shtayyeh, Minister of the Palestinian Economic Council for Development and Reconstruction, said SMEs are the pillar of Palestine's economy and China's experience in advocating innovation will help Palestine build up its own SMEs.

Salam Alsmism, economic advisor to the Iraqi Superum Islamic Council, said his country's fertile land, abundant underground water and mild climate are suitable for Chinese companies to develop, adding that the country has implemented investment laws to facilitate overseas investment in Iraq.

Salah Al-Mazidi, senior advisor to the Director General Office of the Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research, said he hopes Chinese SMEs will not only bring investment to Kuwait, but also carry out personnel training and scientific research in the country to generate jobs.

Forum participants agreed that SMEs in many countries and regions, including China, are experiencing similar challenges, adding that joint efforts are needed for the sustainable development of SMEs.

Fang Guoqiang, deputy mayor of Changzhou, said the government is determined to improve the business environment for SMEs.

"The government will strengthen assistance for human resource development, innovation, productivity improvement and entrepreneurship,"  he said.

Fu Ziying, vice governor of Jiangsu, said the provincial government will assist SMEs in selling local products overseas and facilitating their participation in international industrial exhibitions.

This year's forum was hosted by the International Department of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the Jiangsu provincial government.