Overseas small and medium-sized enterprises embraced development opportunities arising from the 16th China International Small and Medium Enterprises Fair in Guangzhou, capital of southern China's Guangdong province.

"For years, CISMEF has provided a shared platform for SMEs to explore opportunities in different continents and countries," said Li Yong, director-general of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization, at the China SME Summit.

To mark the 45th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Malaysia, it was invited to be the co-host country of the four-day fair that began on June 24.

Ong Kian Ming, vice-minister of international trade and industry of Malaysia, said China was the biggest contributor to Malaysia's foreign investments in 2018. China has been Malaysia's major strategic partner for 10 consecutive years.

He added that SMEs are constructive forces for economic growth, technology transfer and industrial revolution. SMEs in Malaysia will join forces with their counterparts in China to face challenges and head into the new era of high-quality development, he said.

"Malaysia is welcoming investment from Chinese companies," Ong said at the end of his remarks.

Inside the venue, Malaysia had a pavilion of 1,500 square meters, which featured 50 Malaysian companies from a variety of sectors including food and beverage, health, beauty, fashion, lifestyle, automotive, machinery, education and tourism.

Many SMEs see CISMEF as a perfect platform for them to find agents in China, understand Chinese customers and enter the Chinese market.

"We have exported fortune cookies to many countries like Germany, France and India. Now we are eager to let Chinese people learn about our products," said Stephanie Lai, sales administrator of Focob Food Industries, who attended CISMEF for the second time.

Sally Gao, representative of Malaysian lingerie brand Skiva, said the company has a raft of agents in China but it is far from enough. "CISMEF can help us find more," said Gao.

Accompanied by Malaysia, 12 countries and international organizations, such as Sri Lanka, Thailand and Nepal, dispatched delegations to display packaged food, cosmetics, jewelry and home interior designs.

(China Daily Global?06/28/2019 page7)