UAE becomes first Arab co-host of expo

The United Arab Emirates will forge a closer partnership with China as both look to develop small and medium-sized enterprises, according to a trade promotion official from the Gulf country.

"Both China and the UAE are seeking to promote their SME sector and we are keen to harness our combined synergies and draw on each other's strengths and expertise to attain greater milestones in the growth and progress of this sector," said Majid Khalid al-Mazrouei, a senior official with the UAE Economy Ministry's trade promotion and investment department.

He made the remarks at a news conference on Monday, two days before the opening of the 15th China International SME Fair, which the UAE is co-hosting the event for the first time, in Guangzhou, a booming city in South China.