Zeng Peiyan, president of the mainland-based Council of the Zijinshan Summit for Entrepreneurs across the Taiwan Strait, addresses the opening ceremony of the 2015 Zijinshan Summit in Nanjing, capital of east China's Jiangsu Province, Nov. 3, 2015. The summit will include forums focusing on macro-economy, energy, finance, information and home appliances, start-ups and small businesses, among others. (Photo/Ecns.cn)
Entrepreneurs from Taiwan are said to be looking forward to new opportunities on the mainland given the plans to support for small and medium-sized businesses and start-ups as part of the new 5-year plan.
As part of the new 5-year plan, the mainland leadership is promising more is going to be done to allow average people from Taiwan benefit from more cross-straits cooperation.
Zhong Shuling with the Association of Small and Medium Enterprises in Taipei says this pledge is encouraging, especially for small business owners on the island.
"Previous polices have been widely criticized for only benefiting large-scale companies, leaving nothing for small and medium-sized firms. These new polices are aimed at giving a priority to smaller operations. It's really a response to the growing voice from the people of Taiwan, and we are grateful for that. "
Zhong Shuling has made the comments while in Nanjing to attend the Zijinshan Summit.
This is a gathering of entrepreneurs from both the mainland and Taiwan designed to promote cross-strait trade.
This year's discussions are mainly focused on the ways to encourage small and medium-sized businesses and young people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait to work together to help promote the cross-strait economic cooperation.
Zeng Peiyan heads the mainland-based Council which sponsors the Zijinshan Summit.
"Small and medium-sized companies are critical when it comes to employment. Cooperation across the Strait should focus more on these companies, giving them more opportunities and financial support. Young businessmen are the driving force of cross-straits relations. Both sides should be making it easier for startups to get financial and technological support."
Lin Huiying from the General Association for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises in Taiwan says entrepreneurs on the island should be looking more toward the mainland as an area to grow and develop.
"We hope Taiwan's small and medium-sized enterprises can take better advantage of the fast development of e-commerce on the mainland when tapping into cross-border trade. Authorities from both sides can establish joint projects to promote young business leaders."
The Zijinshan Summit itself first began in 2008.
It includes sub-forums on a variety of topics, such as the macro-economy, energy and finance.
This year's session has attracted more than 800 business leaders and leading economists from the two sides.
The Silk Road initiative and the amalgamation of industries are also a topic of discussion.
The Zijinshan Summit is due to conclude on Thursday.
