Diverse activities such as business promotions, forums and summits were held during the first two days of the 12th China International Small and Medium Enterprises Fair, which began on Saturday in Guangzhou, the capital of Guangdong province.

On Saturday, an opening ceremony of the Malaysia Pavilion was held in the city's Poly World Trade Center Expo. The pavilion, covering an area of nearly 3,000 square meters, accommodated more than 150 Malaysian companies engaging in industries such as food, clothing, daily necessities and medicines.

Malaysia, co-host of this year's fair, is an important partner in helping China build its proposed 21st Century Maritime Silk Road. Currently, economic and trade cooperation between the two countries is strong and vibrant, and bilateral trade has seen steady growth.

Guangdong has long given priority to developing friendly and cooperative relations with Malaysia, and their trade and exchanges involve fields such as the sciences, technologies and culture.

A China SME Summit also began on Saturday in Guangzhou Garden Hotel to discuss the Made in China 2025 national strategy and the transformation of the Chinese manufacturing industry.

Entrepreneurs, experts and official delegates from China, Malaysia and other countries participating in the fair gathered together to share ideas, measures and policies to support the development of SMEs.

On Sunday, companies from Poland held a promotion in the Poly center for the country's amber, dairy and cosmetic products.

Guangdong is one of the important markets of Poland's trade with China. In 2014, import and export trade volume between the province and Poland reached $3.5 billion.

That same day, an international SME development seminar and roundtable conference for consuls general in Guangzhou was held, attracting nearly 100 SME representatives and officials from consulate generals.

Through the fair and the seminar, Guangdong hopes to deepen mutual understanding and promote pragmatic cooperation with participating countries to jointly create a brighter future for their small and medium-sized companies, local officials said.

Foreign consuls generals in Guangzhou have also played a positive role in boosting the economic development of Guangdong, said Luo Jun, deputy head of the province's Foreign Affairs Office.

He expressed his hope that the consuls would further encourage politicians and entrepreneurs from their countries to continue to support the development of Guangdong and strengthen cooperation with local SMEs.

haonan@chinadaily.com.cn

(China Daily 10/15/2015 page5)