On the evening of September 8, 2022 (GMT+8), the opening ceremony for  Seminar on the Management of Small and Medium Enterprises for Portuguese  Speaking Countries, hosted by Ministry of Commerce and organized by  MOFCOM Training Base for International Business Officials (Shanghai)  was held online. Xu Yuansheng, Counselor of Chinese Consulate General in  Rio de Janeiro, Fang Meng, from Foreign Economic Cooperation Office of  the Shanghai Municipal Commission of Commerce, Liu Bin, Director of  International Exchange Office of Shanghai Business School, and the  expert representative, Zhang Peng, Director of Yangtze River Delta  Talent Training and Exchange Guidance Service Center, attended the  opening ceremony and delivered speeches.

Since the outbreak of COVID-19, China and the Portuguese-speaking  peoples have always stood by each other, and multilateral relations have  continued to sublimate in adversity. China and the Portuguese-speaking  countries have helped each other to overcome difficulties and seek  development. The solidarity has enriched the connotation of the concept  of Community of Human Destiny. In the case that the epidemic has not yet  completely dissipated in China, the success of this seminar is a  positive initiative to practice the concept of the community of human  destiny and a vivid manifestation of China and Portuguese-speaking  countries overcoming difficulties together, carrying out mutually  beneficial cooperation and seeking common development.

Xu Yuansheng said that the cooperation has been continuously deepened.  The Chinese government has provided high-quality teaching resources, and  cooperated with local competent cooperative institutions to carry out  centralized offline teaching, which has improved significantly the  teaching effect of the seminar. The innovative approach of  government-led, business association-operated, and key enterprise  participation has effectively promoted the development of SMEs in  Portuguese-speaking countries.

Fang Meng said that China has become an important trading partner of  Portuguese-speaking countries and the fastest growing major export  market.The friendship and cooperation between China and  Portuguese-speaking countries are increasingly expanding and deepening.  It is hoped that this seminar will bring useful inspiration and support  the development of SMEs in Portuguese-speaking countries.

Liu Bin said that this seminar will focus on sharing knowledge, ideas,  experiences and practices in the field of SME management in China,  especially Shanghai. While the seminar is an opportunity to promote  exchanges and cooperation between China and Portuguese-speaking  countries the field of SME management in China, it will promote the  joint development of all countries.

Speaking as an expert representative, Zhang Peng expressed his hope to  share China's development experience with the participants and witness  the achievements of China's opening up and reform, as well as to let  them experience China's human environment, deepen the knowledge and  understanding between countries, and promote multilateral cooperation.

The participant representatives, Nal Fernando from the SME Promotion  Agency of Mozambique and Luiz Carlos Patricio, Legal Director from  Barreau Savasi, Brazil, said that they would make full use of this  opportunity, actively participate in and share their countries'  experience in SME and economic development, and apply what they have  learned in the construction of their home countries.

The seminar will last 21 days, and a total of 65 government officials  from Brazil and Mozambique's SME management and related departments will  participate in.

Written by: Liang Bo

Photos by: Li Zheng

Reviewed by: Chen Wei