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China SME Global Development Forum

China SME Global Development Forum (referred to as The Forum), co-hosted by Global Alliance of SMEs (GASME), United Nations Industrial Development Organization(UNIDO), Zhejiang SME Administration, China International Cooperation Association of SMEs, and China Association of International Trade and Shanghai Entrepreneur Association, was held at UNIDO Austria Center on June 25.


The Forum was moderated by Mr. He Weiwen, Vice Chairman of GASME. Over 200 top UNIDO officials, EU officials and entrepreneurs, as well as Chinese government officials and entrepreneurs attended the forum. Keynote speakers included Dr. Kandeh K. Yumkella, Director-General of the UNIDO, Mr. Carlos Magariños, Global Chairman of GASME, Ambassador Cheng Jingye, Chief Representative of P. R. China to the United Nations and Other International Organizations in Vienna, Mr. Carl Dieter Spranger, Honorary Vice Chairman of GASME & Former Minister of German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, Mr. Gao Yingzhong, Director General of Zhejiang SME Administration, Mr. Ma Jun, Vice Chairman of China International Cooperation Association of SMEs, and Mr. Tidiane Boye, Industrial Development Officer of Investment Promotion Unit, Investment and Technology Promotion Branch of UNIDO, who made in-depth discussion on hot topics and difficulties encountered by Chinese SMEs in their international development. The speakers focused on global technological innovations and sustainability industry trends, and concluded by making valuable proposals and actions.


Dr. Kandeh K. Yumkella, Director-General of the UNIDO, pointed out that China was not just a large market, but also an incubator for scientific and technological innovations. The rest of the world and China would mutually benefit from the global economic development trend. He also expressed that UNIDO was willing to offer its necessary help for Chinese enterprises to join the world, especially regarding developing countries and regions in Africa.


Mr. Carlos Magariños, Global Chairman of GASME, stressed the importance of ‘green, sustainable industry’ in his speech. He pointed out that the economic globalization at the present time means we are facing an unprecedented challenge to achieve sustainable development. As a result, SMEs in China have to apply science and technology, especially electronics & information technology and automation, to transform traditional industries into green, sustainable industries.


Ambassador Cheng Jingye, Chief Representative of P. R. China to the United Nations and Other International Organizations in Vienna, emphasized in his speech that strengthening cooperation among SMEs was an important channel for economic communication and dealing with future challenges. He mentioned that the ‘Sino-EU SME Cooperation Week’ was right held at a critical time. China and EU are both members of UNIDO, and both have had a long-term friendly relationship that is now stepping into a new era of cooperation. In February 2012, leaders from China and EU met as an effective force to promote the development of the Sino-EU strategic partnerships and economic trade relations. According to statistics, the Sino-EU bilateral trade in 2011 reached over $500 billion USD, which was unprecedented in history. The EU is China’s largest trade partner, in terms of both imports and exports. So far, the EU has made an investment of over $80 billion USD in China and has yielded many returns. This shows that China has a sound environment for investment. Meanwhile, China has also been encouraging Chinese enterprises to invest in Europe. So far, the accumulative investment of Chinese enterprises in Europe has reached up to $17 billion USD. All this has proved that the relationship between China and Europe is more cooperative and has returned recognizable results. Enterprises from both regions can take advantage of each other’s strength, such as R&D expertise of the EU and manufacturing competitiveness of China, so that all may benefit from mutual cooperation.


Mr. Carl Dieter Spranger, Honorary Vice Chairman of GASME & Former Minister of German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, analyzed the economic status quo in Germany and various industries, and pointed out that it was right time for China to make investments in Germany.


Mr. Gao Yingzhong, Director General of Zhejiang SME Administration, pointed out in his speech that the provincial government of Zhejiang has given great importance to cooperation between SMEs from China and EU. Thus, the government has put forward the SME Global EZPath Program, an important step for Zhejiang SMEs to expand globally.


Mr. Tidiane Boye, Industrial Development Officer of Investment Promotion Unit, Investment and Technology Promotion Branch of UNIDO, analyzed the situation for Asian SMEs to invest overseas, and offered his suggestions for Chinese enterprises to interested in making investments overseas.


Mr. Ma Jun, Vice Chairman of China International Cooperation Association of SMEs, pointed out that SMEs in China will expand globally, and because of that fact, it will be more effective if SMEs worked together on worldwide expansion projects.

The forum was chaired by Mr. He Weiwen, Vice Chairman of GASME.