GUANGZHOU: The upcoming China International Small and Medium Enterprises Fair will for the first time set up a special exhibition hall for members of Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM), to promote trade cooperation among small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Spread over 10,000 sq m, the special hall will have about 500 booths.

The trade fair will be co-organized by Republic of Korea and be held in Guangzhou from September 22-25.

"The special hall will play an effective role for Chinese SMEs to tap the large Asian and European market," said Chen Xiangxin, deputy director of Guangdong provincial economic and trade commission.

ASEM, which was initiated by Singapore Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong in 1994, currently has 45 member countries and regions in Asia and Europe, and the European Commission as well.

So far, many SMEs from 21 ASEM members have confirmed their participation in the fair which will have as many as 498 booths, said Chen.

"The ASEM members have a combined population of about 2.1 billion people, accounting for 38 percent of the world's total. As a result, Chinese SMEs can easily find their potential customers through the special exhibition hall," said Chen.

Each ASEM member will be provided with 10 booths free of charge in the special hall, the organizing committee said.

"The free service will be provided not only to SMEs, but also to government organizations, chambers of commerce, industrial and commercial associations or organizations rendering services to SMEs," said Chen.

In October 2007, participants in the first ASEM SMEs Ministerial Meeting signed the Beijing Declaration in bolstering ties among the ASEM members on SMEs, and agreed to set up a free hall for members to hold exhibitions and conduct exchanges, and a website (www.asem-sme.net) to facilitate members participation in the annual fair.

(HK Edition 06/30/2008 page1)