China's first national exposition catering to small- and medium-sized firms is scheduled from Oct. 18 to 22 in Guangzhou, capital of south China's Guangdong Province.

Organizers of the exposition said that starting this year, the non-profit exposition is expected to be held every fall to boost the growth of those enterprises in China, according to the latest edition of China Economic Herald.

A total of 2,200 booths will be made available in the exhibition hall covering 40,000 square meters, and major department stores, retailers, and purchasing firms in China and abroad will be invited to the exposition, according to the report.

The products to be displayed and traded are mostly handicraft, textile, home appliance, metals, and food. Most of China's small and medium industrial enterprises are producers of those products.

Forums and conferences concerning technology transfer, financing, and international purchasing will be arranged during the exposition.

The host city Guangzhou is the center of the Pearl River Delta, one of the most dynamic economic areas in China. The Delta, neighboring with Hong Kong and Macao, was once the pioneering region during China's early economic reform and till today thrives with its vibrant private enterprises.

At the end of 2003, the registered small and medium enterprises were over 3.6 million, offering over 75 percent of the jobs in urban areas.

Their finished products and services contributed 55.6 percent of the country's gross domestic product (GDP) in 2003. Those enterprises also accounted for 62.3 percent of the country's total export.