Why join?

You’ll be in good company!

Connect with other SMEs and MNEs in the Asia-Pacific region.

Learn from peers, including successful exporters.

Gain up-to-date insights about operating in a global context, especially as trading conditions change quickly.

Build your leadership profile and enhance your brand in the region.

Champion the importance of an inclusive and sustainable global value chains.

Advocate the important role of SMEs in creating jobs and innovation within their economies.

What is required?

Your time and talent!  We would appreciate your attendance and engagement in all four seminars.

Depending on the topic, you may be invited to deliver a presentation and/or be part of the panel discussion.

Who is running this?

This initiative is funded by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and co-sponsored by the Philippines; New Zealand; and the United States.

It will be delivered by the Export Council of Australia with industry partners across APEC Member Economies.

What is APEC?

The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) is a regional economic forum established in 1989 to leverage the growing interdependence of the Asia-Pacific.  APEC’s 21 members aim to create greater prosperity for the people of the region by promoting balanced, inclusive, sustainable, innovative and secure growth and by accelerating regional economic integration.

APEC ensures that goods, services, investment and people move easily across borders.  Members facilitate this trade through faster customs procedures at borders; more favourable business climates behind the border; and aligning regulations and standards across the region.

SEMINARS

SESSION 1:  SERVICES INPUT TO GLOBAL VALUE CHAINS

25 August 2022 (Virtual, 1.5 hours)

Issues

• Identifying some of these traded services
• How to facilitate and grow these services as part of GVCs
• What are the potential benefits from digital trade?

This session would suit international services firms involved in infrastructure, information and communications, architecture, legal and/or environment.

 

SESSION 2:  UNDERSTANDING MNE REQUIREMENTS FOR SUPPLIERS AND PARTNERS

6 September 2022 (In-person/Hybrid in Phuket, THAILAND, as part of APEC SME Week, half day)

Issues

• MNE specific approaches/methods to supplier partnerships
• Finding channels and understanding applications to become a vendor/supplier
• Importance of meeting relevant environmental and social obligations

 

SESSION 3:  GETTING CONTRACTS RIGHT AND ACCESSING FINANCE

28 September 2022 (Virtual, 1.5 hours)

Issues

• What goes into supplier agreements and how to get the best outcomes
• What is supply chain finance and is it good for SMEs?
• Creating the right regulations and the role of fintechs

 

 

SESSION 4:  DEEP DIVE ON LOGISTICS AND TRANSPORT

26 October 2022 (Virtual, 1.5 hours)

Issues

• Importance of transparency and availability of information
• The role of 3PL/4PL services
• Efforts to improve interoperability of platforms

 

Expressions of Interest – SMEs

To confirm your participation please complete an expression of interest form.

We welcome expressions of interest from businesses across a range of industries and sectors, including retail, food and beverage, ICT and business services.

Successful candidates will be contacted subsequently.