"The delegation will not only participate in the Chinese Exports Exhibition, the world biggest trading event, to be held in Guangzhou from April 15-30, but will also attend sector specific briefings by government officials and meet their counterparts to form business alliances," said Shaikha Lubna, while briefing journalists on the path-breaking initiative she took after visiting world's fastest growing economy last year.

She said that her ministry is supporting SMEs, especially those run by young entrepreneurs, as the Chinese economic model is also based on it.

"The ministry also organised, through diplomatic channels, a programme on investment opportunities for Emirati businessmen and is organising visits to selected factories in Canton," she said.

The delegation will focus on industrial and trading sectors. The programme includes meetings with government officials and private companies participating in specialised seminars on Chinese products, export procedures and potential deals as well as related services offered by the Chinese government.

Shaikha Lubna said China forecast 20 per cent growth in UAE-China bilateral trade in 2007, after a remarkable growth of 31.5 per cent in 2006, crossing the $2.4 billion level.