The World Expo has helped improve the image of Chinese private enterprises and boost corporate cooperation for sustainable growth, an industry survey said Tuesday.

About 80 percent of respondents said the Expo and the Private Enterprises Joint Pavilion helped increase brand awareness of China's rising private enterprises, which used to be viewed as low-cost and low-technology players, said Ernst & Young in a survey yesterday in Shanghai.

"It's quite interesting that the Expo doesn't help a lot in boosting sales of Chinese private enterprises' products but does well to improve the industry's image for a long-term sustainable growth," said Terence Ho, an Ernst & Young partner.

About 73 percent of the respondents said the Expo will help them learn new management techniques, business ideas and experiences while 71 percent said the event will help strengthen ties between companies, overseas markets and government.

About 49 percent said the Expo helped boost sales, the lowest level among the 12 benefits of the Expo to private companies.

The accounting firm conducted the survey from July to October on about 100 senior managers of leading Chinese enterprises.