OECD conference on SMEs and Globalisation
14 June 2000 - 14 June 2000
The first ministerial-level conference on small and medium enterprises and globalisation, will be held in Bologna, Italy, on 14 and 15 June 2000.
Organised by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development, OECD, and the Italian government, the event aims to help governments better understand the underlying dynamics of small enterprises so they can benefit from the opportunities of a global economy.
Small and medium-sized enterprises are often cited as the 'engine of job creation' and make up the majority of businesses in many countries worldwide However many are unaware of, and unable to capture, new opportunities.
One of the questions the conference will pose is should governments tailor specific policies to assist them, or should they be left alone to compete against bigger companies?
The conference itself will begin with an exchange of views between business representatives, government ministers and other conference delegates. Italian Prime Minister Massimo d'Alema will open the conference and OECD Secretary-General Donald J. Johnston and Giorgio Guazzaloca, Mayor of Bologna, will give keynote speeches.
The following themes will be addressed: the implications of e-commerce for SMEs; the scope for government action in the creation of industrial groupings; barriers to innovation; and the role and position of small firms in developing countries and transition economies.
Around 600 participants are expected, including bankers, business representatives and service providers to small enterprises.
A business symposium will take place prior to the conference on 13 June.For further information, please contact:
Meggan Dissly
OECD Media Relations Division
Tel. +33-1-45248094
E-mail: meggan.dissly@oecd.org
URL: http://www.oecd.org/(opens in new window)
Organised by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development, OECD, and the Italian government, the event aims to help governments better understand the underlying dynamics of small enterprises so they can benefit from the opportunities of a global economy.
Small and medium-sized enterprises are often cited as the 'engine of job creation' and make up the majority of businesses in many countries worldwide However many are unaware of, and unable to capture, new opportunities.
One of the questions the conference will pose is should governments tailor specific policies to assist them, or should they be left alone to compete against bigger companies?
The conference itself will begin with an exchange of views between business representatives, government ministers and other conference delegates. Italian Prime Minister Massimo d'Alema will open the conference and OECD Secretary-General Donald J. Johnston and Giorgio Guazzaloca, Mayor of Bologna, will give keynote speeches.
The following themes will be addressed: the implications of e-commerce for SMEs; the scope for government action in the creation of industrial groupings; barriers to innovation; and the role and position of small firms in developing countries and transition economies.
Around 600 participants are expected, including bankers, business representatives and service providers to small enterprises.
A business symposium will take place prior to the conference on 13 June.For further information, please contact:
Meggan Dissly
OECD Media Relations Division
Tel. +33-1-45248094
E-mail: meggan.dissly@oecd.org
URL: http://www.oecd.org/(opens in new window)