The 2018 Hangzhou Global Entrepreneurs Forum is held at the Hangzhou International Expo Center, Zhejiang province, on Oct 30. [Photo/chinanews.com.cn]

Global entrepreneurs and industry players from China and other countries across the globe gathered in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, to discuss innovation and the development of enterprises on Oct 30.

The 2018 Hangzhou Global Entrepreneurs Forum, aimed at providing a platform for entrepreneurs to conduct exchanges and deepen dialogues, attracted over 5,000 business leaders and government officials from countries including Russia, France, Italy and the United Kingdom.

Addressing the opening ceremony, Gordon Brown, former British prime minister, believed that there is great potential for the cooperative relationship between China and the United Kingdom and welcomed Chinese companies, especially small and medium-sized enterprises to invest in the country.

"We have very big programs for cooperation and strategic economic dialogues where we exchange technology ideas and transfer technology to each other, something that will become even more important in the years to come," he said.

Brown also noted that venture capital investment in China has been booming over the years, while Hangzhou emerged among the top ten cities in the world for total venture capital investment last year, surpassing all cities in Europe except some cities in Britain.

Aside from the forum, a range of themed summits and matchmaking activities were also held during the event.

It is hoped that the forum can help Zhejiang enterprises to "go out" while introducing foreign enterprises, according to a local official.  

Gordon Brown, former British prime minister addresses the opening ceremony of the 2018 Hangzhou Global Entrepreneurs Forum in Zhejiang province, on Oct 30.[Photo/chinanews.com.cn]

A summit on rural revitalization is held at the 2018 Hangzhou Global Entrepreneurs Forum in Zhejiang province, on Oct 30. [Photo/chinanews.com.cn]