WORLD ASSOICIATION FOR SMALL & MEDIUM ENTERPRISES
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Dr. Charlie Chan Group moderatorThe company name is only visible to registered members.May Newspapers
WORLD ASSOCIATION FOR SMALL & MEDIUM ENTERPRISES
May 2007
SME Events
Comprehensive and Integrative Public Support Systems for SMEs – A Central Factor of Development Policy
Beer Sheva, Israel, May 28 – June 21, 2007
A comprehensive course for Senior Government officials, bankers, leaders of SME Associations, economists, business consultants, trainers and International organizations involved in development issues will be held in the facilities of NISPED, which is located in the Golden Tulip Hotel in Beer Sheva, the capital of Southern Israel. The three week course will be held between May 28 to June 21.
The course includes frontal lectures, workshops, study visits to relevant institutions and organizations, project design as well as cultural and historic tours. The main topics for the course includes contribution of micro, small and medium enterprises to the economy, society and individual, the influence of the free market on SMEs, main problems and constraints affecting SMEs, structuring government policies for further development of entrepreneurship and SMEs, role of central, local and regional governments in promoting entrepreneurship and SMEs; and establishing and managing comprehensive support systems –the central and the local/regional level.
http://www.nisped.org.il/welcome.htm?page=http://www.nisped....
ICSB World Conference in 2007
Turku, Finland, 13-15 June, 2007
Turku School of Economics will be hosting the International Council for Small Business (ICSB) World Conference on 13-15 June, 2007 in Turku, Finland. The Conference theme is "At the Crossroads of East and West: New Opportunities for Entrepreneurship and Small Business". The conference is targeted at researchers, policy makers, educators and practitioners and will attract conference delegates from all over the world.
In addition, on 12 June a Pre-Conference on Entrepreneurship Policy will be arranged as part of the European Day of the Entrepreneur. In the Policy Forum innovative measures in fostering entrepreneurship as well as practices in supporting growth-oriented and innovative firms - case Finland will be discussed. A Doctoral Seminar on Entrepreneurship on 16-18 June will be organized as a Post-Conference in the Turku archipelago.
For further information visit:http://www.icsb2007.org
The eighth International Strategic Partnership and Business Networking Trade Fair for SMEs
Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia, 6- 8th September, 2007
The eighth international strategic partnership and business networking trade fair for SMEs will be held between 6th and 8th September at Matrade Exhibition and convention centre at Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia.
The event will be organized by Small and Medium Enterprise International Co-operation Association of Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur Malay Chamber of Commerce, Malaysia South South Association and Expomal International.http://www.globalsme.com.my/eventprofile.php
30th Institute for Small Business &Entrepreneurship Conference
Glasgow, Scotland from 7th November to 9th November
The theme of the Conference is International Entrepreneurship – stimulating smarter, successful, small businesses worldwide. The key issues that will be addressed in the Conference includes Advancing entrepreneurship education and enterprise, business birth-rate strategy - stimulating start-ups, community, ethnic, minority, rural and social enterprise, E-entrepreneurship, e-business and e-learning and Innovation, technology transfer and knowledge networks. Those who attend the Conference are likely to benefit from sharing the best practices in enterprise creation and development, hear the latest advances in entrepreneurship education, discuss leading-edge research in entrepreneurship and SMEs , and consider the applications and policy implications of this research.http://www.isbe2007.org
OTHER STORIES
China: Alibaba and Microsoft begin strategic cooperation
Alibaba Software (Shanghai) and Microsoft China announced on April 24 that they have signed a strategic cooperation memo during the Boao Forum for Asia (BFA). They will expand strategic cooperation in e-commerce and information technology service for small and medium-sized enterprises as well as commercial organizations. They will cooperate on research and development of such online services as e-commerce, enterprise management, office automation and enterprise communication.
It is hoped that this joint initiative between Microsoft and Alibaba will provide 20 million small and medium-sized enterprises with an online software service platform built by Alibaba Software which will give them the option of paying when they need it. Alibaba and Microsoft will also be looking at developing innovative applications for these businesses and cooperating to improve mobile computing, digital home terminals and user experience technology based on Microsoft Office.
Statistics show that as of the end of 2006, China had more than 29.5 million small and medium-sized enterprises, 99.5 percent of all enterprises in China. Less than 20 percent of those used software to manage their enterprises. As of the end of March, Alibaba Software had 19 million registered users, covering three key fields including e-commerce, software management and instant messaging.
By People's Daily Online
http://english.people.com.cn/200704/25/eng20070425_369707.ht...
Europe: Progress on combating late payments
The recent European Community legislation on combating late payment in commercial transactions has concluded that nearly all of the tools provided by the Directive are relevant and useful in the fight against late payment. However greater coherence in the Directive could improve its effectiveness.
The rationale behind the Directive was that long payment periods were having an effect on European businesses, and mainly on SMEs. In particular, the risks and market distortions created by extended payment periods jeopardizes the ability of these European businesses to take advantage of the Single Market. Further, long payment periods strain cash flow and fuel uncertainty. They prevent SMEs from adequate and timely investment in research and development, technology and the labour force. As a result, long payment periods impede the development, competitiveness and profitability of SMEs, and even endanger their survival.
The EC legislation on combating late payment in commercial transactions has been applied in 30 European countries (3 European Economic Area nations in addition to the 27 Member States of the European Union) since 1 January 2007.
Enterprise Europe, Brussels, 16 April 2007
http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/regulation/late_payments/inde...
India: Small enterprises face hurdles
The micro-small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) of India are facing severe challenges due to high interest rates, collaterals sought by financial institutions and bureaucracy in bank paper work, says an industry survey. These challenges act as serious impediments in their way towards growth, said the survey conducted by the Confederation of the India Industry (CII).
MSMEs in India have still not been able to gain a strong foothold, and the sector will be able to fully realise its potential by 2010 with a paradigm shift in business scenario over the next 5-10 years.
On the issue of raising the FDI limit, a whopping 72 per cent of the people surveyed voted against the move.
"Small and medium industries foresee the dominant role of non-traditional source of finance substituting the traditional (banking) sources," the report said.
The survey found out that 37 per cent feel innovation strategy of the MSMEs can only be impacted through transformational change and improvement.
The Hindustan Times, April 1, 2007
India at FUTUREX 2007
FUTUREX 2007, the largest and most comprehensive Information and Communications Technology Exhibition in Africa, will provide widest possible exposure to Indian ICT companies, particularly, small and medium enterprises (SMEs). It will enable them to showcase their diverse, innovative range of ICT products and services and also help in tapping this huge burgeoning market. The event is scheduled to be held between 15 and 18 May 2007 at Johannesburg, South Africa.
India's ICT exports to Africa during 2005-06 were around $180 million ($83.62 million of electronics hardware and $96 million of software and services) accounting only for 0.70 per cent of India's total electronics and IT software/services exports to the world market. This is only an insignificant share of the India's total ICT exports to Africa.http://www.efytimes.com/efytimes/fullnews.asp?edid=18389&...
Iraq: Credit Analysis Training Builds SME Lending Capacity of Iraqi Banks
The USAID-funded IZDIHAR project has increased the capacity of nine private banks by training nineteen bank officers in Managerial Accounting and Credit Analysis. This thirteen-day course further advanced IZDIHAR’s comprehensive program to build the capacity of Iraqi private banks and enable them to make loans based on the principles of cash-flow based lending techniques.
Among the principal objectives of the course is to provide Iraqi bankers with the analytical skills required to substitute a more objective, numbers-driven credit approval process for the current model, which relies almost entirely upon the appraisal of collateral required to secure the loan. By using a cash-flow-based lending methodology, the banks open up the large SME (small and medium enterprise) market sector, potentially a major engine of economic development, and a sector previously unable to access bank credit. The course is delivered in Arabic and all course materials are in Arabic.
IZDIHAR has now trained a total of 75 bankers through this rigorous course, which is part of an extensive training program tailored to assist Iraqi banks in modernizing their lending techniques and upgrading the professional standards of their staff. The list of courses includes, among others: The Loan Officer Concept; Relationship Banking and Marketing; Goal Setting and Performance Planning; and Loan Documentation and Collateral.http://www.izdihar-iraq.com/news/sme.html#story114
ITC: Trade Promotion Organizations Win Awards
The trade promotion organizations of five countries were recognized by their peers at a gala dinner yesterday evening at the opening of the 6th World Conference of Trade Promotion Organizations. Finland’s national trade promotion organization, Finpro, won the overall “Best of the Best” TPO award.
The winners for each category were:
- Finland: Winner, Developed Country Award
- Chile: Winner, Developing Country Award
- Zambia: Winner, Least Developed Country Award
- Mauritius: Winner, Small Country Award
- Mongolia: Winner, Transition Economy Award
- El Salvador: Winner, Panellists’ Surprise Award
Trade promotion organizations help to create jobs and income at home, by assisting companies to expand internationally. “In a challenging trade environment, these organizations can be proud of their contributions to their countries’ economies,” said Patricia Francis, Executive Director of the International Trade Centre. The conference, sponsored by the Geneva-based International Trade Centre and Fundación Export.ar, Argentina’s trade promotion organization took place in March this year.
For more information about the winners: Contact: Ms Natalie Domeisen, ITC Senior Public Information Officer, tel.: +41 22 730 0370;
DOCUMENTATION AND INFORMATION SERVICES CENTRE
Recent Arrivals
Finance for Trade
International Trade Centre UNCTAD/WTO
Geneva, ITC, 2006. xii, 129 p (Trade Finance Series)
The guide to Finance for Trade, prepared by the International Trade Centre (ITC) is a roadmap for navigating the waters that have been chartered over years of accumulated expertise in trade financing.
Edited by Alan Southby and financed by the Government of Italy, this 129 paged guide is intended as a practical work of reference that draws on and adapts traditional and new techniques, mechanisms, instruments and institutions. The purpose is to stimulate trade finance practices through changes, especially in the private sector with particular reference to the needs and concerns of SMEs in developing countries and transition economies.
For more details please see:http://www.intracen.org
Malaysia: MMEBA 2007
Malaysian International Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MICCI) is organising the MICCI Malaysian Entrepreneurs Branding Award (MMEBA) 2007 which is aimed at encouraging Malaysian Small & Medium Enterprises (SMEs) to build more international brands and to take off successfully into the global markets. MMEBA 2007 is jointly organized by MICCI and the Lim Kok Wing University of Creative Technology in collaboration with the Small and Medium Industries Development Corporation (SMIDEC).
The MMEBA 2007 award ceremony, which will be presented on 3rd July 2007 at the Sime Darby Convention Centre, Kuala Lumpur will be officiated by Y.B. Dato' Seri Rafidah Aziz, Minister of International Trade and Industry (MITI)http://www.smidec.gov.my/html/content/eNews9.htm
Philippines: What Can Mobile-enabled Financial Systems do for the Poor?
The proliferation of mobile communications in developing countries has the potential to bring a wide range of financial services to an entirely new customer base, according to a new report commissioned by infoDev in partnership with the International Finance Corporation (IFC), and GSM Association.
The infoDev report, which focuses on the use of mobiles for micro payments in the Philippines, found that mobile enabled financial services, or m-Banking, can address a major service gap in developing countries that is critical to their social and economic development.
In many developing countries, particularly in rural areas, access to financial services is limited. Large proportions of the population is excluded from formal banking systems and make payments entirely using cash, which is far less secure and flexible than electronic payment mechanisms. However, in the Philippines, 3.5 million people are using a service that allows them to transfer money over the two major mobile networks operated by SMART Communications and Globe Telecom.
The experience in the Philippines shows that m-Banking has the capability to bring advantages to all stakeholders.
InfoDev.org
e-mail: domeisen@intracen.org
Tanzania : the Minister of Industry, Trade and Marketing Hon. Basil P Mramba Impressed by the quality of products produced by SMEs
Small Industries Development Organization (SIDO) Central Zone SMEs Exhibition that focused on Technology and machinery recorded comparative higher sales and orders at a total of 61 Mil. and 112 mil respectively. The exhibition was visited by a large number of Ministers and Members of Parliament who witnessed quality products and technologies produced by innovative local Tanzanians.
The Minister of Industry, Trade and marketing Hon. Basil P Mramba officiated the event of Nyerere Square ground in the centre of Dodoma Municipal Addressing 222 SMEs from 18 regions of mainland Tanzania and from Zanzibar and Kenya. The Minister urged SIDO in cooperation with his Ministry to spearhead and find export markets for SMEs in handicrafts, textiles products and honey as their products proved to be of a good standard.
Ministers and Members of Parliament who visited the exhibition applauded SIDO’s endeavor in organizing exhibitions and suggested that the activity should be organised annually in each region throughout Tanzania in order to stimulate business and quality of products They also suggested that innovators like Imberuzi Group who created the incubator machine should be assisted in getting property rights and selling their trade mark to industries that can engage in mass production and therefore enable the innovator to start developing of something else.
HABARI : Issue 19, April 2007
Turkey: to encourage SMEs to export
The Under secretariat of the Prime Ministry for Foreign Trade (DTM) will be implementing various promotion campaigns to increase small and medium enterprise (SME) interest in state aid (incentive) programs. Studies for a “Promotion Communiqué” have begun.
Included in the Communiqué will be the provision of certain advantages for firms that will be exporting their products for the first time. Only 4 percent of the 1 million SME's in Turkey are involved in exporting, said Tuncer Kayalar, DTM Under Secretary. This year DTM is planning to support more firms, especially more SME's, he said.
A new implementation will enlarge the scope of the already existing support related to the participation in international fairs.
The additional support will include help with transporting materials used during international fairs, more support to the yacht and boat construction sectors in international fairs and covering the hotel and round trip ticket costs of 2 representatives from companies to the country where the fair is located.
The DTM provides 75 percent of the employment costs of one CEO and two staff members for SME's. DTM is working on providing support for consultancy services as well. With renewed education aid, 90 percent of training costs of companies involved in exports will be supported this year. This year some 650 companies will be able to benefit from environment, employment and education aid.
The companies will also be supported in memberships to sector related trade sites, market search and obtaining market search reports.
Those firms who have been actively present in international markets for a long time and wish to increase their market share will receive 50 percent support in their expenditures such as renting new shops, offices, storage areas or showrooms and in their decoration expenditures. The spending for international publicity and commercials as well as brand publicity and brand protection are also supported on a 50 percent basis. This year, 200 firms are expected to receive overseas office support and some 75 firms are expected to receive brand support as part of Turquality.
In addition to 50 percent of fair expenses of firms, an additional 10 percent support is also provided for participation in fairs of target markets. DTM has allocated $317 million in fair support to firms in the past four years. The rate of support for fair participation was decreased to 50 percent from 80 percent at the beginning of last year.
http://www.turkishdailynews.com.tr/article.php?enewsid=66679
Dr Charlie Chan
- 10 May 2007, 09:24 am
