SEOUL, Sept. 29 (Xinhua) -- The Korean Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), a South Korean pro-business lobby, and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Russian Federation, its Russian counterpart signed a preliminary contract to boost cooperation between the two countries' small and medium sized businesses, the KCCI announced on Monday.

    According to the statement of the KCCI, the two business bodies will conduct a joint survey on promising economic projects between the two countries' small and mid-sized firms under the deal.

    Moreover, both institutions will organize consultation meetings for the two countries' entrepreneurs to outline how to increase exchanges.

    The KCCI said it also plans to carry out a training program to help Russian small and mid-sized companies expand their presence overseas.

    The deal came one day after South Korean President Lee Myung-bak started a three-day state trip to Russia on Sunday.

    The KCCI added that the Ministry of Knowledge Economy of South Korea will support projects of the two business bodies.