Opening Session

Venue: Ballroom 2 Level 3

Ministerial Dialogue: Building Resilient SMEs for Sustainable Growth

Venue: Ballroom 1 Level 3

Masterclass: Building an SME Regional Ecosystem

A sustainable SME regional ecosystem necessitates a cohesive structure where government policies and multinationals work in tandem to support the growth of SMEs. How can multinationals include SMEs in their value chains? What policy changes are needed in building a sustainable system?

Venue: Ballroom 2 Level 3

Panel Discussion: When Ideas Meet Funds (A Dialogue between Entrepreneurs and the Funding Community)

The transaction between people with ideas and people with money holds crucial details that need to be understood to increase the chances of businesses getting funded. Which businesses are right for SMEs? What are the characteristics of a successful entrepreneur? What are the skills and knowledge necessary to secure funding?

Venue: Ballroom 2 Level 3

Masterclass: E-Commerce in SME Development

E-commerce is taking monetary transactions to a new exponential level. What are the benefits of E-commerce to SMEs and what are its barriers to entry?

Venue: Ballroom 1 Level 3

Masterclass: SMEs' and Internalisation

In order for SMEs to grow and benefit from economies of scale, they need to think beyond the domestic market. But what are the barriers for SMEs to enter the international market? What roles can the Governments play in developing SMEs’ competitive advantage?

Venue: Ballroom 2 Level 3

Panel Discussion: SMEs’ Gateway to Localisation

Penetrating the existing domestic supply chain is crucial to SMEs’ survival. How can governments build SME capacity through the localisation of the supply chain? What initiatives can be taken to create a sustainable localisation process for SMEs? What synergies can be achieved between MNCs and SMEs with regard to the domestic supply chain?

Venue: Ballroom 2 Level 3