The Association for Promotion of Cross-Straits Exchange of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises opened a branch at the Pingtan Comprehensive Pilot Zone, Fujian province, on May 24.

The association is a private organization launched by enterprises on both sides of the Taiwan Straits in 2012. It is committed to promoting cross-Straits exchanges in commerce and trade among SMEs by organizing activities.

The association's relationship with Pingtan dated back to 2014, when they worked together to host the Pingtan-Taiwan Commodities Trade Fair. The fair served as a platform to display Taiwan specialties and helped promoted Taiwan SMEs to expand business in Pingtan.

The branch opened in the zone due to its status as an experimental area of cross-Straits cooperation. The area is dedicated to promoting exchanges between the mainland and Taiwan in cultural creation and trade and technology, according to Huang Zhibo, head of the Pingtan branch.

Huang added that the branch will focus on increasing the exposure of Taiwan products in Pingtan by holding trade fairs, match-making events and exhibitions, and strengthening cooperation and exchanges among SMEs on both sides.