Stewart Beck, President and CEO of the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada (Source: theglobeandmail.com) Toronto (VNA) - Policies that facilitate SMEsdevelopment are the most important topic of discussion at the third meeting ofthe APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC), said Stewart Beck, President and CEOof the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada.
In an interview with the Vietnam News Agency on the sidelineof the ABAC meeting in Toronto on July 26, Beck noted that 98 percent of companiesin Asia-Pacific are classified as small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs),thus it is important to promote their operations and growth potential.
Policies for SMEs growth include those on mechanisms forbusiness establishment, startups, and recruitment at local level, he said.
Meanwhile, looking for measures to diversify businesscategories in the region is also necessary, he added.
Beck considered globalisation an important process,particularly with IT firms.
He said he supports e-commerce, which, to him, is a platformfor SMEs to trade without border.
The point is governments’ understanding of online tradingand issuance of policies that encourage its growth, said Beck, adding that thematter will be among ABAC’s recommendations to APEC leaders.
The ABAC’s third meeting in 2017 took place in Toronto,Canada, from July 24-28.
During the event, business leaders from APEC membereconomies gathered to build an agenda and make recommendations on businessclimate improvement across the APEC region, which will be submitted to the APECEconomic Leaders’ Week in Vietnam next November. -VNA
VNA
