The European Union (EU) had opened 10 contact points in China to give European small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) easier access to the market, the European Commission said on Oct 13.
The announcement was made at the third annual conference of the European Enterprise Network, launched in February 2008 by the commission as a key part of the EU's efforts to encourage competitiveness in European businesses.
The contact points were located in cities such as Guangzhou, Xiamen and Hangzhou to provide practical information and assistance for European SMEs to expand their exports or business presence in China.
The commission provided as an example a Swedish chocolate firm that wanted to expand into China. It was referred by its home office in Sweden to the Network's contact point in Wuhan, and together they found the right partner to distribute and promote its brand. Now the company is setting up a sales office in China.
"European small businesses drive growth and create jobs. As markets become global, an increasing share of SMEs will turn their ideas and energy into exports outside their own countries or the EU," said Antonio Tajani, EU Commissioner for Industry and Entrepreneurship, adding there were huge opportunities for SMEs in large trading partners like China.
The announcement was made at the third annual conference of the European Enterprise Network, launched in February 2008 by the commission as a key part of the EU's efforts to encourage competitiveness in European businesses.
The contact points were located in cities such as Guangzhou, Xiamen and Hangzhou to provide practical information and assistance for European SMEs to expand their exports or business presence in China.
The commission provided as an example a Swedish chocolate firm that wanted to expand into China. It was referred by its home office in Sweden to the Network's contact point in Wuhan, and together they found the right partner to distribute and promote its brand. Now the company is setting up a sales office in China.
"European small businesses drive growth and create jobs. As markets become global, an increasing share of SMEs will turn their ideas and energy into exports outside their own countries or the EU," said Antonio Tajani, EU Commissioner for Industry and Entrepreneurship, adding there were huge opportunities for SMEs in large trading partners like China.
