The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) has partnered with the APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC) to hold the first Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) Summit in Makati City on November 17.
To be held during the APEC Economic Leaders’ Week (AELW), the APEC SME Summit will carry the theme, “Innovation and Big Ideas: Pushing Boundaries”, aiming to challenge the traditional framework and mindset of micro and SMEs to further innovate their businesses.
About 1,500 delegates, including micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) across the Asia Pacific, government officials, ABAC members, business organizations, and business students are expected to participate in the event.
The APEC SME Summit will present exhibits and talks featuring leaders of successful enterprises in the region, particularly those with innovative and disruptive business models.
Among the APEC region’s business leaders who will share innovation insights, experiences, and inspiring stories are AirAsia Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Tony Fernandes, Care.com Founder and CEO Sheila Marcelo, and Xurpas, Inc. President and CEO Nix Nolledo.
President Benigno S. Aquino III will also grace the APEC SME Summit as keynote speaker.
Target outcomes of the summit are innovation partnerships between and among SMEs and innovators, a network of APEC SME entrepreneurs and practitioners in the innovation space, documentation of inspiring stories, and recognition of successful SME innovators with transformative solutions and ideas.
The APEC SME Summit is part of the forum’s initiative to increase the participation of MSMEs in the global value chain.
The sector, the engine of growth and innovation in the APEC, comprises more than 97 percent of enterprises in the region, and more than half of the total workforce in APEC member economies. It also has a 20 percent to 50 percent share of the region’s gross domestic product, and contributes up to 35 percent of direct exports. PNA (kc)
