Addressing the first Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs) ministerial meeting convening from October 30 to 31, Vice Premier Wu Yi stressed SMEs' increasingly important role in economic development and urged cooperation among governments to boost innovation in SMEs.

 

Wu added, "Promoting developments of SMEs is a grand strategic plan that is destined to grow into something extraordinary.  Economic development of a nation is not merely associated with larger players evolving into multinationals, but also with flourishing of numerous SMEs.  Such businesses in both Asia and Europe have been a key engine of their social and economic development, creating many job opportunities, presenting dynamics in tech innovation and expanding their shares in economic and trade ties."

 

The meeting released the Beijing declaration to enhance exchanges among the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) members.  The major consensuses reached in the declaration are: develop SMEs, make the world harmonious; enhance economic and trade ties, promote economic prosperity in both Asia and Europe; optimize industrial structure, advocate market openness and fair competition, meet challenges from globalization; elevate creativeness, uphold sustainable development; create job opportunities, promote prevalent prosperity in the society; promote social services, improve development climate for SMEs.

2007-11-07

2007-11-07