Ministers Issue Statement on Enhancing SME Competitiveness and Innovation

Ministers from the APEC member economies issued a statement following their meeting in Ho Chi Minh City on Friday to enhance the competitiveness and innovation of the region’s micro, small and medium enterprises in the digital age.

The statement reflects the outcomes of the APEC Small and Medium Enterprises Ministerial Meeting chaired by Viet Nam Minister for Planning and Investment Nguyen Chi Dzung. It describes joint actions to be taken forward by APEC economies over the next year to enable small business participation in digital-driven trade to improve growth and people’s livelihoods.

Click to view: APEC Small and Medium Enterprises Ministerial Statement

Ministers also endorsed an initiative to be undertaken by APEC economies to foster the robust and sustainable growth of innovative startups. They additionally endorsed an APEC Strategy for Green, Sustainable and Innovative Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), and a strategy annex.

Click to view: APEC Initiative on Promoting Innovative Startups

Click to view: APEC Strategy for Green, Sustainable and Innovative MSMEs, and Annex

The next APEC Small and Medium Enterprises Ministerial Meeting will take place in 2018 in Papua New Guinea.

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For further details, please contact:

David Hendrickson +65 9137 3886 at [email protected]
Michael Chapnick +65 9647 4847 at [email protected]

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