The 2003 China International Small and Medium-sized Enterprises' (SMEs) Commodities Fair opened in Changzhou in East China's Jiangsu Province on Saturday (20 September 2003).
Zhang Wei, vice-chairman of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade, said at the fair's opening ceremony, "Fairs like this are beneficial for these enterprises, and business people are able to find many opportunities for co-operation and new markets."
Ou Xinqian, vice-minister of the National Development and Reform Commission, said some SMEs would be able to show the results of their latest technological innovations at the fair.
Zhang also pointed out that the biggest problem in the development of SMEs in China is the lack of finance. "China's SMEs face much fiercer competition, especially now that the nation has become a member of the World Trade Organization (WTO).
