BEST PRACTICES

DESCRIPTION:The report includes four case studies which evaluate the role of regulatory reforms in creating a proper business environment supporting SMEs: 1) dedicated agencies to assist SMEs with growth, development, compliance and internationalization; 2) agencies and institutions that specialize in supporting SME finance; 3) regulatory tiering; and 4) SME-friendly Regulatory Impact Assessments (RIA).

DESCRIPTION:The 2015 APEC Business Advisory Council and USC Marshall School of Business report focused on engaging SMEs in cross-border e-commerce. They conducted first hand research across the 21 APEC economies to discover the enhancers and chokepoints unique to each economy. APEC and each member governments must focus to engage and support SMEs. An APEC wide framework addressing cross-border e-commerce is needed; sharing of best practices and pathfinder approaches is encouraged; and effort is required to help SMEs capacity build

DESCRIPTION:Recommendations from the Dialogue include: Government agencies to act as facilitator; Look into new emerging SMEs, such as online business, social enterprises, services industry and tourism;Develop strategies to promote innovation and technology transfer to improve the competitiveness of SMEs; Best practices on innovation and entrepreneurship; he Internet is an important infrastructure to help SMEs do business and export. On this point, it is shared that APEC may develop a work plan to enabling the participation of SMEs in digital trade; Assess the impacts of FTAs/RTAs on agriculture.

DESCRIPTION:SNE accounted for 97.5% of total enterprises in Viet Nam, but only 1% in the Agriculture, Forestry and Fishery sector. In the agriculture sector, SMEs’ innovation has an important role in various stages from inputs, production, post-harvest, processing and trading of agricultural products. In 2015, Viet Nam is one of the 14 outperforming economies among the middle-income group, one of the eight innovation achievers, and one of the 11 developing economies that are labelled “innovation outperformers”. Viet Nam also shared about their Government’s initiatives in promoting innovation and SME development, as well as about the five best practices SME innovation in the agriculture sector.

DESCRIPTION:Singapore shared their experience about how innovation could help SMEs operate more efficiently and increase revenue. Singapore also explained its sectoral approach in developing innovation infrastructure and making intellectual property more accessible to SMEs. In addition, Singapore also pointed out how SMEs could partner larger companies to innovate and highlighted key emerging technology areas to look into in the coming years

DESCRIPTION:Initiative oriented to encourage the youth (between 18 – 40 years) to venture into business. The objectives of this program are to acculturate entrepreneurship, create a paradigm shift from job seekers to employment providers, and create resilience and sustainability of entrepreneurs. After the successful completion of Phase 1 (Test the Perseverance of Mind & Physical) and Phase 2 (Increase Knowledge – Effective Business Operations), the participants will receive RM15, 000 (USD3,628) to assist them in starting the business and will be able to utilize the a Buddy System for 12 months upon the business establishment to receive advice from experienced and trained Business Counsellors.

DESCRIPTION:Recent developments in support to innovation and technology (I&T). Hong Kong, China set up a dedicated bureau and put significant financial resources to carry out a number of initiatives, including promotion of “re-industrialization”, research and development; supporting I&T start-ups and SMEs; nurturing talents, etc.

DESCRIPTION:Best practices in industrial development, specifically the fastener industry. The competitiveness of the fastener industry in Chinese Taipei is facilitated by SMEs industrial clusters which makes them the 3rd largest exporter in the world. Chinese Taipei highlighted how one successful fastener industry firm grew from a SME to a MNC in 30 years.

DESCRIPTION:The presentation gave an updates on what has been done within the “Productive Diversification Plan” which was launched by the Ministry of Production of Peru one and a half year ago. The Plan combines cross-cutting policies to strengthen fundamental capacities along with vertical policies that pay attention to specific sectors.

DESCRIPTION:SMEs’ Single Book Keeping Scheme” is part of the Thai government’s measures to strengthen SMEs access to finance with a single set of accounts and encourage them to comply with the tax laws. SMEs that have registered capital of no more than 5 million Baht and income of no more than 30 million Baht who have registered with the Revenue Department since 15 January, 2016, till 15 March, 2016, must inform the Revenue Department that they will open an account that shows their income and financial budget to be in line with the real business situation (single account). The Revenue Department will not inspect any retrospective tax even if it is tax of a juristic entity, VAT, business tax, or revenue stamp, so in order to have knowledge and understanding relating to the correct process of bookkeeping, as well as actually work and draft an appropriate investment plan for the business.

DESCRIPTION:This project provided a mentorship-driven platform for start-ups to connect with the trusted partners and smart money in APEC. There were over 90 start-ups selected as finalists of APEC Challenge and secured totally over 50 million USD early-stage investments since 2013. The conclusion was that the next steps to further facilitate SME’s growth and access to regional and global market are: (i) to optimize the conducive innovation environment; (ii) to enhance digital competitiveness; and (iii) to capitalize on O2O opportunities for innovative start-ups and SMEs through PPP.

DESCRIPTION:Korean government’s presentation on SME support programs which contributed to the success of a female entrepreneur in the Chinese market. Her company faced with many difficulties when established and she decided to enter overseas markets in 2013. However, problems arose in that course, including lack of information, language barrier, and high cost of marketing. Then, in 2015, the company participated in a government assistance program named ‘Global Distribution Network Program’ that was jointly run by SMBA, Small and Medium Business Administration, and SBC, Small and medium Business Corporation. Thanks to that, the company was offered with opportunities to sell its products on a highest-rated home shopping network in China.