Chinese Vice Premier Zeng Peiyan in Beijing Thursday called for east Asian countries to increase dialogue and exchanges and promote cooperation among their small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

Zeng made the remarks at the opening ceremony of a high-level seminar on promoting development and investment in SMEs in east Asia.

He said the seminar is an important move to implement the proposals made by Premier Wen Jiabao at the eighth summit meeting among ASEAN, China, Japan and the Republic of Korea (ROK) last November.

He said SMEs are important in bringing about economic growth, promoting market prosperity and increasing employment. He hopes east Asian countries will improve services for their SMEs.

Zeng also briefed the participants about China's economic situation and the country's development plan in the coming five years. He said China plans to double the GDP for the year 2000 by the year 2010. Meanwhile, it will make efforts to deepen reform and opening-up, increase employment, popularize education, and make progress in its democracy, legal structure and culture.

Zeng said there is huge potential and a broad market for more economic cooperation among SMEs in east Asia. ASEAN countries, China, Japan and the ROK have similar cultures, and are highly compatible economically. Their difference in technology and labor cost helps the enterprises to conduct cross-border investment and trade cooperation.

The enterprises of east Asian countries can make remarkable progress in their cooperation as long as east Asian countries follow the spirit of mutual benefits and common development, enhance exchanges and improve relevant systems, Zeng said.

In an effort to promote cooperation between SMEs, Zeng proposed that east Asian nations hold regular seminars to strengthen exchanges and dialogue, improve the investment and trade environment, encourage companies to make transnational investments, provide companies with finance support, and improve company services.

More than 400 representatives from ASEAN, China, Japan and the ROK, including government officials, directors from financial institutes, experts and businessmen, attended the seminar.

Zeng met with Thai Deputy Prime Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit and other chief delegates to the seminar on Thursday, noting that the cooperation between the ASEAN, China, Japan and the ROK have witnessed sound momentum and fruitful achievements.

"Governments from all east Asian nations should play active role in promoting the bilateral and multilateral cooperation among companies," Zeng said.

Source: Xinhua