Ministers from Asian countries and Europe released on Wednesday
the Beijing declaration to enhance exchanges among the Asia-Europe
Meeting (ASEM) members and establish effective cooperation
mechanisms for small-and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
The declaration said it is important to improve the trade and
investment climate among ASEM members and promote cooperation in
such fields as trade facilitation, services, transfer of technology
and intellectual property rights.
The declaration suggested strengthening exchanges on financing
policies for SMEs, promoting innovation for financial products and
services, and improving investment mechanisms for starting
businesses.
It also encouraged Asian and European SMEs to engage in
development and cooperation in the fields of technology,
investment, economic and trade exchanges, personnel training and IT
application.
SMEs should also "pay attention to environmental protection in
the production and business activities, fulfill their social
responsibilities, improve working conditions and protect employees'
rights," said the declaration.
The first Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) SMEs ministerial meeting
was held in Beijing on Tuesday and Wednesday.
The declaration said the ASEM SMEs ministerial meeting will be
hosted alternately by Asian and European members so as to build it
into a regular and sustainable mechanism for policy exchange and
dialogue.
A senior officials' meeting mechanism will also be set up for
ASEM SMEs cooperation. The meeting is to be held prior to meetings
between ministers, and government officials from each member will
be designated to participate in the meeting, according to the
declaration.
The second ASEM SMEs ministerial meeting will be held in Europe
in 2009.
(Xinhua News Agency November 1, 2007)
