OECD Centre for Entrepreneurship, SMEs, Regions & Cities’ Post

Dear friends, this our final call for the upcoming working breakfast on 🇪🇺🌍 "International Cross-border Trade: Challenges and Solutions facing SMEs" hosted by Jörgen Warborn MEP, taking place in the European Parliament on 14 November at 8 AM CET (90 MIN) with the participation of Peter Berz, Eleonora Catella, Greet Dekocker, Roberto Corciulo, Bart van Zwol and Eric Pelletier. Register here ➡️ https://lnkd.in/e8_rng5f Internationalisation and international entrepreneurship among SMEs remains a topic of considerable relevance and many challenges. Despite the existing policy initiatives and support schemes, only a relatively small number of European SMEs currently engage in cross-border activities and an even smaller number report they are considering it. Internationalisation is certainly not for every SME but given the significant role they play in our economies, if just a few more were to successfully transition to become international companies, either via trade or investment, the benefits would be significant. Consequently, supporting the internationalisation of SMEs should remain a priority of the European SME competitiveness strategies. With this debate we would like to contribute to the general discourse by bringing together the knowledge and experience of our network members, highlight unique and shared challenges across the industries and explore solutions.

Feel free to register and get some insightful analyses regarding cross-border trade and e-commerce for SMEs, with fresh figures from Alibaba by Eric Pelletier 🚀

How can we turn Europe into an SME superpower? Yesterday, we had the pleasure of hosting our third SME Roadshow in The Hague, organised together with our Dutch member federation VNO-NCW and in collaboration with MKB-Nederland. The event brought together key representatives from European and national institutions, #SMEs, and #entrepreneurs across Europe. We tackled pressing #SME issues and explored questions like: 🔹 What is the economic state of European SMEs? 🔹 What are the regulatory burdens on SMEs? 🔹 What has been the reflection on SME policy in the last five years? Martina Dlabajova, Member of the European Parliament and co-Chair of its SME Intergroup, emphasised, "The last five years have brought more awareness to the challenges facing European SMEs. It is key for policymakers and SME stakeholders to keep working together in the next EU cycle." Additionally, Fabrice Le Saché, Chair of the BusinessEurope SME Committee, highlighted, "The #SingleMarket is Europe's precious treasure. This is the basis of a strong economy and is key in trade negotiations. But to make it stronger, we should reverse its increasing fragmentation." SMEs are the lifeline of Europe’s economy, creating jobs and wealth where most of their business is conducted. However, recent years have presented significant challenges: persistent labour shortages, higher energy prices, costlier credit, and a flood of new regulations, all while the need for sustainability and innovation grows. European SMEs are struggling to thrive, and we must reverse this trend. Let's continue to work together to support and empower our SMEs. What was your key takeaway from the event? Share your thoughts below! 👇

Do SMEs influence politically and economically in the USA and overseas? Learn more during the Summer Innovation Camp.       Following our post on the Summer Innovation Camp in June 2024, AmCham Tunisia and Avila University want to highlight one of the riveting courses during the event entitled "Political & Legal Influence of SMEs in the United States and Abroad". The course aims to determine the SMEs' political and economic influence in the United States and how that value translates into a legal framework advantageous to the SME community. This program will examine models used regionally and nationally in the United States, such as international approaches and will dive into challenges confronting SME stakeholders. Moreover, the speaker, M. Sullivan, will examine legal and political frameworks in the United States to encourage entrepreneurship and discuss comparatively with countries like Tunisia. Who is Tom Sullivan? He heads small business policy at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. His career in small business advocacy spans 40 years in regulatory and legislative work from the public and private sectors. Nominated by President George W. Bush and confirmed by the U.S. Senate, Tom headed the Office of Advocacy, an independent small business policy and legal office within the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), from 2002-2008. Tom serves on the Board of Directors for the Global Entrepreneurship Network (GEN). For further details, don't hesitate to reach out at [email protected] #avilauniversity #amchamtunisia #uschamberofcommerce #summerinnovationcamp #smeinfluence #politicalandeconomicalenvironment

🌍🤝 Strengthening International Ties: AICCI Meets with Czech Republic’s Economic and Trade Counselor 🤝🌍 We are thrilled to share that the Africa International Chamber of Commerce & Industry (AICCI) recently held a productive meeting with Beata M., the Economic and Trade Counselor at the Embassy of the Czech Republic in Accra, Ghana. Our discussions focused on bolstering investment between the Czech Republic and Ghana, particularly in key sectors such as Agriculture, Technology, Manufacturing, and Clean Energy. 🌾💻🏭🌱 Key highlights from the meeting include: 🔹 Investment Opportunities: Exploring mutual investments to drive sustainable economic growth. 🔹 Soft Landing Services: Facilitating seamless entry for Czech companies looking to expand into Ghana and other African markets. 🔹 Trade Missions: Planning trade missions to the Czech Republic to enhance business connections and explore further opportunities. This collaboration underscores our commitment to fostering international partnerships that benefit both nations. We look forward to working closely with the Czech Republic to create a conducive environment for businesses to thrive and achieve significant economic progress. Together, we can build a brighter future for our businesses and communities! 🌟 For more information, read our article at: https://lnkd.in/dgEtcvyN #AICCI #InternationalTrade #EconomicGrowth #Ghana #CzechRepublic #Investment #BusinessExpansion #SustainableDevelopment #TradeMissions #GlobalPartnerships Mark Darko, PhD Rev. Edward Agyekum Kufuor Theophilus T. Cromwell Wallace Williams Alejandro De La Parra Solomon Dr. Yaw Amponsah Adoo Milkaela .M. Mwangura Susanna Uusmaa Benjimen Boateng

We were honoured to welcome the Minister for Trade and Tourism, Senator the Hon Don Farrell, to our office today. We had a great discussion about the role of Export Finance Australia in financing Australian businesses to take on the world. John Hopkins #export #finance #australianbusinesses

The Pakistan-UK Business Council (FPCCI) is an organization that aims to strengthen and promote trade and investment between Pakistan and the United Kingdom. 1. Bilateral Trade Promotion: The PUKBC works to enhance bilateral trade and investment between Pakistan and the UK. It facilitates business connections, trade missions, and networking opportunities for companies in both countries. The council actively promotes the benefits and opportunities of doing business in Pakistan and the UK. 2. Policy Advocacy: The PUKBC acts as a voice for the business community, advocating for policies that support trade and investment between Pakistan and the UK. It engages with government officials, policymakers, and other stakeholders to provide input on policy matters and address barriers to trade. 3. Business Support: The PUKBC provides support and guidance to businesses interested in expanding their operations between Pakistan and the UK. It offers advisory services, market intelligence, and information on business regulations, taxation, and legal matters. The council also facilitates business matchmaking and partnerships. 4. Knowledge Sharing: The PUKBC organizes seminars, conferences, and workshops to promote knowledge sharing and best practices in trade and investment. These events provide a platform for industry experts, business leaders, and government officials to exchange ideas and insights. 5. Sectoral Focus: The PUKBC focuses on various sectors, including agriculture, energy, healthcare, education, infrastructure, and technology. It identifies opportunities for collaboration and investment in these sectors, aiming to drive economic growth and development in both Pakistan and the UK. 6. Networking and Events: The PUKBC organizes networking events, business forums, and exhibitions to facilitate connections between Pakistani and UK businesses. These events provide opportunities for businesses to showcase their products and services, explore potential partnerships, and build relationships with key stakeholders. 7. Business Resources: The PUKBC provides access to business resources, research reports, market studies, and trade data to help businesses gather information and make informed decisions. It also offers guidance on trade regulations, export/import procedures, and market entry strategies. The Pakistan-UK Business Council plays a significant role in promoting trade and investment between Pakistan and the UK. It acts as a bridge between businesses in both countries, offering support, advocacy, and networking opportunities. The council aims to strengthen economic ties and foster mutually beneficial partnerships between Pakistan and the UK. #ukbusiness #Pakistanexports #uk

Some takeaways from listening to Deputy Secretary and Chief Trade Negotiator at MFAT, Vangelis Vitalis, talk about the opportunities of #CPTPP at last night’s event at Auckland University of Technology, co-hosted by the Department of International Business, Strategy & Entrepreneurship (IBSE) with the Latin America New Zealand Business Council, British New Zealand Business Association and ASEAN New Zealand Business Council. 1️⃣ The “golden weather” period for NZ in terms of international trade has ended with covid, the Ukraine war, supply chain issues and demand softening. 2️⃣ The international business landscape is marred by both geopolitics and geoeconomics. 3️⃣ While the CPTPP offers a lot of potential, we should not forget “who is also missing” from it: the US, India, the EU (with China as the only of the Big Four trading powerhouses wanting to join) 4️⃣The CPTPP addresses also the “social license” of international trade linked to environmental standards and protection of labour. 5️⃣ The CPTPP offers legally enforcable trading rules (i.e., recent example of Nz vs Canada) AUT Business School Melanie Barr Nirisha Niranjan Kate Kearins Alireza Tourani-Rad Swati Nagar Giuliana Silveira Damon Salesa Philip Wood OBE MFAT in Auckland NZTE

Australia and the Philippines have been partnering together for decades, benefiting both countries economically. Two-way trade and investment have grown impressively, generating quality employment for both countries, making use of our comparative advantages in a range of sectors, including transport, energy, telecommunications, and natural resources. But more can be done. As part of Australia’s new Southeast Asia Economic Strategy to 2040, we are working to boost trade and investment between Australia and the Philippines and to take full advantage of the enormous opportunities available to us.🇦🇺🇵🇭🤝 We want to build even more successes together! Australian Trade and Investment Commission (Austrade) Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade Australian-New Zealand Chamber of Commerce Philippines (ANZCHAM) Australia Philippines Business Council VGTI SEA - Victorian Government Trade and Investment Southeast Asia Investment NSW Department of Enterprise, Investment and Trade Victorian Government Trade and Investment Queensland South Australian Department of Treasury and Finance (DTF) Department of Education, Western Australia Department of the Premier and Cabinet of WA Tasmanian Government Education and Training International (GETI) Northern Territory Government ACT Government HK Yu PSM FCPA (Aust) Mukund Narayanamurti James Yeomans Simon Reid Liza Bautista Tata Corpuz Sheila Trance Vanessa Perez Kimberley Cuesta Patricia De Mesa Nouva Daina Bersales Andrea Almonte

The Department for Trade and Investment drives economic growth in South Australia by attracting new foreign direct investment and increasing exports in sectors of competitive advantage. The Department for Trade and Investment helps by: > Working with international companies to uncover investment opportunities > Supporting businesses to capitalise on export opportunities > Creating strong international relationships. Explore the various sectors of opportunities here: https://lnkd.in/gGfHbTY3 #aussiemates #export #internationaltrade #tradeandinvestment Melissa Zajic I Jackie Y.