From 21 to 23 October 2026, the EU SME Centre participated in the 19th Europe–China Business and Technology Cooperation Fair at the China–Europe Centre in Chengdu. The fair brought together over 2,000 participants from 700 companies and institutions and over 20 countries. The event featured plenary discussions on trade relations and green and digital innovation, 11 thematic and related activities, industrial visits and B2B match-making sessions attended by around 400 companies. High-level government participants at the event included Liu Jiannan, Vice Chairman of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT), Chengdu Vice Mayor Chen Zhiyong, João Moura, Secretary of State for Agriculture of Portugal, the Consuls General of Spain, Austria and France in Chengdu, and the Hungarian Consul General in Chongqing.
On the morning of 21 October, the EU SME Centre and the European Union Chamber of Commerce in China co-hosted one of the fair’s key sessions, “Linking Europe”, an Investment and Cooperation Exchange Meeting and Sichuan Provincial Government–Business Dialogue with Foreign-Funded Enterprises. Liam Jia, Team Leader at the EU SME Centre, delivered the opening remarks, highlighting the range of opportunities available to European SMEs across many sectors of the Chinese market. However, he pointed out that new challenges emerged with China’s economic slowdown and broader structural and demographic changes. As a result, platforms for business exchange and effective communication channels between companies and government authorities are becoming increasingly critical. He underscored the value of the fair in fostering cooperation and expressed hope for continued collaboration in the coming year.
Helen Chen, Deputy Secretary General of the China Association of SMEs, delivered a keynote speech on the development of SMEs and emerging opportunities under China’s 15th Five-Year Plan. She highlighted potential areas for collaboration between Chinese and European businesses, particularly in technology, supply chains and high-quality products.
Massimo Bagnasco, Senior Advisor to the EU SME Centre, opened the discussion with the Sichuan Provincial CCPIT by raising the issues of late payments and contractual disputes. The Centre’s team and participating European SMEs raised questions on tax policies, government procurement, market access and preferential policies for foreign-invested enterprises. Representatives from government departments, including the Sichuan Tax Bureau and the Sichuan Sports Bureau, responded to the issues raised.
After the dialogue, the EU SME Centre and participating European SMEs took part in other activities of the Europe-China Fair, including the opening ceremony, closed-door TPO roundtable and dinner receptions, and B2B matchmaking sessions. These activities provided further opportunities to exchange insights, connect with potential partners and explore avenues for European SMEs to engage with the market in Sichuan.
