Name of the Cooperation Area: SMEs Cooperation

Prime/Co-Prime Mover Countries: Singapore and Sri Lanka

Date of first activity organised: 15-16 July 2003

Progress since ACD5 (May 2006) & Future Activities:
                       
Singapore, in consultation with Sri Lanka as joint prime mover for SMEs Cooperation, had proposed for an ACD “Forum on Enhancing Market Access for SMEs” to be organised in Singapore from 8 – 10 May 07.  The event aims to bring together government policy makers, market regulators and private sector companies and SMEs from ACD countries to discuss the merits and challenges concerning access to ACD countries’ markets. 

However, as responses from numerous ACD member countries have not been received by the due date, the Forum will be postponed to a later date in the second half of 2007.  All ACD countries will be kept informed of the new date.

Singapore encourages ACD member countries to nominate participants for the Forum. Singapore also welcomes suggestions from ACD countries on making the proposed Forum a meaningful and effective platform for the exchange of ideas and experiences to enhance market access for SMEs. 

Sri Lanka has also proposed for an SME Forum in 2008. Tentative dates fixed for this programme are July 17th and 18th 2008. The National Enterprise Development Authority which comes under the purview of the Ministry of Enterprise Development and Investment promotion, Sri Lanka, will host the programme. The overall objective of the programme is SME sector development with special focus on policy development, research and credit and financial assistance to SMEs.

Contact persons:

Singapore
Mr Kelvin Loh
Manager, International Policy & Board Secretariat
Standards, Productivity and Innovation Board (SPRING Singapore)
2 Bukit Merah Central, Singapore 159835
Phone: +65-6279-3950
Fax: +65-6278-6260
E-mail: [email protected]

Sri Lanka -                       
Mr. B.M.U.D Basnayake
Addl. Secretary (Dev.)
Ministry of Enterprise Development and Investment Promotion
No. 46/56, 1st Floor LANLIB Building
Nawam Mawatha
Colombo 02
Sri Lanka.
Phone: +94 11 2394760
Fax: +94 11 2424960
E-mail: [email protected]