[Index]
Geneva, 8 April 2002
UNECE and WASME join forces to help entrepreneurs
and SMEs
The United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) and the World Association
for Small and Medium Enterprises (WASME) decided to conclude a Memorandum
of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen existing cooperation between the two
organisations, to promote entrepreneurship and the creation of a sustainable
SME sector. It will be signed at the Official Opening of the 13th International
Conference for SMEs, in Gibraltar on 8-10 April 2002.
This MoU stipulates that UNECE and WASME will:
- Deepen cooperation between ECE and WASME with a view to strengthening
the capabilities of SMEs, particularly in countries in transition as well
as developing and the least developed economies.
- Undertake joint activities, mainly in the areas of organizing advisory
workshops, training courses, exchanging experiences and disseminating information
on best practices.
- Expand contacts between European SMEs and SMEs in industrialized countries
and emerging market economies.
- Invite each other to conferences, seminars, meetings and training programmes
organized by them as appropriate and subject to relevant Financial Rules
and Regulations of the UN.
- Disseminate information about each other's seminars, workshops, training
courses and publications and encourage their member constituents to take
advantage of them when conducting research studies and surveys.
More generally, the 13th WASME International Conference will focus on developing
practical strategies and policies to assist SMEs in today's global economy.
It aims to establish programmes to build partnerships, facilitate trade and
promote new opportunities for SMEs, Transnational Corporations (TNCs), Governments
and nations. Internationally renowned speakers include Government Ministers,
academics and experts from international organizations and TNCs. It also provides
an opportunity for networking with SME associations, business representatives
and entrepreneurs worldwide.
At the Conference the UNECE will:
1. Make a presentation on the "Development of Women Entrepreneurship
- UNECE Approach";
2. Comment on the impact of WTO on SMEs access to market and technology,
highlighting the programme of work of the recently created UNECE Team of
Experts in Quality Management Systems; and
3. Inform the participants of the aim and scope of the UNECE Expert Meeting
on How to Become Suppliers of Large Nations and Transnational Corporations
to be held on 24-25 October 2002 at the Palais des Nations in Geneva.
Who is doing what?
The World Association for Small and Medium Enterprises (WASME), founded in 1980
in New Delhi, India has emerged within 20 years as the largest professionally
managed global non-governmental organization with Members and Associates in
112 countries - out of them 31 as member States of the UNECE - serving micro,
small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The four pillars of WASME growth
strategies are Peace, Development, Democracy and Security.
The overall goal of the UNECE Strategy for SME Development is to establish
an enabling environment for enterprise creation, economic growth and expand
income opportunities in economies in transition through sustainable, dynamic
SME development. The objective is to promote the conditions necessary for
the growth and development of the SME sector including:
(i) A favourable policy and regulatory environment;
(ii) Strong, sustainable institutions providing financial and non-financial
services to meet the demand of SMEs; and
(iii) Improved access of low-income and disadvantaged entrepreneurs (including
women, rural poor, young families, people with disabilities and ethnic minorities)
to financial and business services for investing in enterprise.
For further information please contact:
Antal Szabó
Regional Adviser on Entrepreneurship and SMEs
Coordinating Unit for Operational Activities
United Nations Economic Commission for Europe
Palais des Nations, Office 440
CH - 1211 Geneva 10, Switzerland
Phone: + 41(0)22 917 24 71
Telefax: + 41(0)22 917 01 78
E-mail: [email protected]
Ref: ECE/OPA/02/07