Two German experts visited China from May 4 to 21, to analyze the feasibility, define procedures, and draft implementation documents for a new program to support the development of private small and medium-sized enterprises in China. The German Federal Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) will sponsor the program. More importantly, efforts of various German organizations already active in this field will be coordinated. The program is likely to focus on the Chinese provinces of Anhui and Hubei.

Both sides have previously established preparation committees with participation of the main relevant institutions. Chinese institutions are lead by the State Economic and Trade Commission (SETC) and its sub-organization CCBCC, with All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce (ACFIC), the Township Enterprise Administration under the Ministry of Agriculture, and two smaller enterprise associations. The German side is led by the Technical Cooperation Agency (GTZ), with participation of Association of German Chambers of Industry and Commerce (DIHT), German Confederation of Small Business and Skilled Crafts (ZDH), Foundation for Economic Development and Vocational Training (SEQUA), German Investment and Development Company (DEG) and Credit Agency for Reconstruction (KfW).