Officials, diplomatic envoys and business executives from around the world were effusive in praising the role the China International Small and Medium Enterprises Fair (CISMEF) has played in boosting SMEs' scientific and technological innovation, global exchanges and cooperation.

The June 27-30 fair in Guangzhou, Guangdong province, was a global assembly for sharing experiences, exchanging views and comparing development models of SMEs while seeking expansion of international exchanges and cooperation.

Yang Shupeng, Deputy Director General of the Secretariat of CISMEF Organizing Committee, said the fair provided a strong platform for SMEs to seek expansion of Sino-foreign exchanges and cooperation while sparing no efforts to increase their presence in the vast Chinese market.

"The fair has helped to propel promotion of SMEs into global industrial value and supply chains and boost their confidence in specialized and innovative development," Yang said.

Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy of the United Arab Emirates, said the fair is a testament to the global recognition of the importance of SMEs in fostering innovation, creating jobs and ensuring sustainable development. He also lauded the role Chinese SMEs play in promoting his country's economy, emphasizing their strong presence across sectors such as technology, renewable energy, finance, tourism, logistics and manufacturing.

"Projects such as the Dubai Traders Market, the Khalifa Port, China-UAE Industrial Capacity Cooperation Demonstration Zone, Etihad Rail, and many others have been developed with the involvement of Chinese capital and business," said the minister, adding that the UAE government would further empower SMEs by setting up more initiatives to foster innovation, encourage financing and optimize regulatory processes, giving full play to the advantages of SMEs in advancing the economy.

"The enactment of the Commercial Companies Law that we passed in 2022 to allow 100 percent ownership of business by foreigners has cemented the UAE as a global hub for entrepreneurship and doing business," said the minister.

Veerapong Malai, Director General of the Office of SMEs Promotion of Thailand, said Thai SMEs are seeking to further expand cooperation with China, particularly in agriculture and post-processing industries.

"We hope to strengthen exchanges and cooperation in scientific and technological innovation and join hands with Chinese companies to tap the global market in the future," he said.

Huo Jiangtao, Vice-President and Secretary General of the Guangdong Chamber of Commerce in Africa, said companies from Guangdong have shown increased interest in Africa. Some have made investments in industrial parks in the Ethiopian Empire, the Republic of Benin, the Gabonese Republic, the Republic of Namibia, the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Republic of Uganda.

"The fair further promotes the future growth of economic ties between Guangdong and African nations," Huo said.

Victor Cadena, Vice Executive Chairman of the Mexico Chamber of Commerce in China, said 95 percent of Mexican enterprises are SMEs.

"The possibilities for cooperation are huge," said Cadena, noting the year-on-year growth of bilateral trade between China and Mexico eclipsed 10 percent last year, which was a record high.

More Guangdong enterprises have set up companies and factories in Mexico in the fields of minerals, machinery, ceramics, fertilizers, seafood, electronics, and electric vehicles, while more Mexican enterprises have businesses in Guangdong for both trading and manufacturing, Cadena said.