On 27 June，the 18th China International SME Fair (CISMEF) and the 2nd Small and Medium-sized Enterprises International Cooperation Summit (SMEICS) took place in Guangzhou, which UNIDO has renewed sponsorship with the organizers, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, the State Administration for Market Regulation and the People’s Government of Guangdong Province.

 

The world economic recovery after the COVID-19 pandemic is threatened continuously by geopolitical tensions, armed conflicts, and climate emergency. Global value chains are being disrupted, causing food and energy prices to soar. These disruptions have affected Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) in particular, which are the major sources of economic growth and employment in many developing countries and therefore are fundamental to poverty eradication.

 

Responding to these challenges requires deepening international cooperation and supporting SMEs to adapt through innovative and resilient development. “This is why we, at UNIDO, put SMEs at the core of our work.” Mr. Zou Ciyong, deputy to the Director General of UNIDO emphasizedin his video speech: “We are positive about the opportunity of overcoming current challenges by strengthening the competitiveness and technological uptake of SMEs, boosting innovation and establishing a favorable business environment.’’

 

One of UNIDO’s priorities is to support Member States in achieving a digital transition as the emergence of Advanced Digital Production (ADP) technologies can foster inclusive and sustainable industrial development and the achievements of the SDGs with SMEs being at the core of this transformation. Supporting SMEs to successfully achieve digitalization is essential for such transition.

 

Mr. Zou mentioned: “We are also actively working towards increasing the competitiveness of SMEs in developing countries to facilitate their integration and upgrading within global supply chains. These efforts include supports to improve the quality of their products and upgrade their capacity for international market access. We support SMEs to adopt new technologies and good practices for sustainable production and trade, becoming more competitive and thus beable to participate in local, regional and global value chains.”

 

Mr. Stephen Kargbo, UNIDO representative in China congratulated the successful opening of the 18th CISMEF and the 2ndSMEICS: “UNIDO has a deep cooperation with SMEs and the private sector as a whole, especially those in developing countries. Hosted by UNIDO and China, we believe the 18th CISMEF will greatly enhance the participation SMEs in regional and global value chains. It will also facilitate mutual learning and exchange among SMEs to better harness the opportunities ushered in by the fourth industrial revolution.”

 

With the theme“Strengthen Cooperation, Enlarge Exchange, Mutual Benefits, Joint Development”, CISMEF covers an area of about 80,000 square meters, including themed exhibitions and specialized exhibitions. SMEICS includes main forum, parallel forums, 6 sub-forums and 6 themed activities under the topic “Innovation Drives Development, Cooperation Empowers Future”.

Source: 联合国工发组织支持第十八届中博会在穗开幕 (qq.com)