Chinese Taipei and Thailand Embrace the O2O business model and Ride the Wave of E-commerce
On June 6, the Small and Medium Enterprise Administration (SMEA), Ministry of Economic Affair (MOEA) of Chinese Taipei and the Office of SMEs Promotion of Thailand co-hosted the APEC SME O2O (online-to-offline) Forum in Bangkok. The cooperation is not only a joined effort for the two economies to promote digital transformation, but also serves as a base for foster SMEs to share a prosperous future in the APEC region.
Digitalization has become a hot issue this week in Bangkok as Chinese Taipei and Thailand joined to promote e-commerce, O2O business model and organized a series of events at Anantara Riverside Bangkok Resort. The week kicks off with a two-day workshop titled "Riding the Wave of E-commerce", follow by the APEC SME O2O Forum today and will conclude with the APEC SME Digital Resilience Training Workshop tomorrow. These events aim to encourage the embracement of digital transformation for SMEs in the Asia-Pacific region. Drawing over 100 participants for each event, it has brought together key stakeholders such as policy makers, representatives of APEC economies, successful business leaders and SMEs/start-up, to share experiences on utilizing digital technology, accelerating business growth, building up cyber security awareness and strengthening the cooperation among SMEs in the APEC region.
Strengthening Business Capacities in the Digital Age
Today's APEC SME O2O Forum began with the opening remarks delivered by Mr. Suwanchai Lohawatanakul, Director General of Office of SMEs Promotion, Thailand and Dr. Kwo-Liang Chen, Chief Secretary of SMEA, MOEA. "The adaption of digital technology is especially crucial for SMEs. As the cyber network and electronic platforms bridge global markets and societies, SMEs both gain opportunities and face challenges like never before." Said Dr. Kwo-Liang Chen.
"For those who embrace digital transformation, cost of commercializing products and connecting to costumers are reduced, and thus gain the chance to compete with larger companies. On the other hand, the customers also have more options over a digital connected global network, thus the demand for better service and convenience will continue to raise overtime. This made digital transformation not only an option to gain advantage over competition, but what SMEs must do to maintain their businesses." Continued Dr. Chen, stressing the importance for SMEs to embrace digital transformation.
The forum was organized in three sections, the first two of which are panel discussions on the topics regarding the opportunities and challenges that SMEs will face throughout the process of digital transformation, and the measures that they can take for them to unleash their business potentials.
The third section is a showcase in which 12 startups from 5 APEC economies presented their business plans and share their experiences in utilizing O2O business model to access global markets.
Building up Digital Resilience and Cyber Awareness
From the experience of the Wannacry ransomware that rampage globally last year, it is a fact that cyber threats can pose huge impact on businesses. However, out of all the challenges brought forth by digital transformation, the exposure of SMEs to cyber risks are especially crucial yet currently lacks the attention that it deserves.
The SME Digital Resilience training workshop on June 7 focuses on strengthening the capabilities of SMEs to respond to and recover from digital crisis such as cyber-attack and internet security threats.
This workshop will begin with a Conversation Keynote discussing the topic of "Enhancing SME Digital Competitiveness and Resilience towards Quality Growth", followed by a session on Instruction of 11 Steps in APEC Guidebook on SME Digital Resilience and end with a group training session.
Unleash the Potential of SMEs through Digital Transformation for a Shared Future
The APEC SME O2O Forum and the APEC SME Digital Resilience Training Workshop are launched within the framework of the 3rd phase of the "APEC O2O Initiative". With the title "Unleash the Potential of SMEs through Digital Transformation for a Shared Future", the initiative is proposed by Chinese Taipei and 4 partner economies, including the Philippines, Malaysia, Thailand and Viet Nam, this initiative aims to increase the utilization of the O2O business model, encourages member economies to promote business innovation and connectivity, and shape highly impactful businesses through digital transformation to enhance global connectivity among SMEs/startups in the Asia-Pacific region.
In 2018, a total of 10 events are scheduled to be implemented, including the successful launched events in Burnei and Malaysia, and the upcoming APEC O2O Summit in Kaohsiung City in July. Chinese Taipei along with partner economies will continue to play a leading role in exploring and addressing challenges and issues facing SMEs in the digital era, strengthening the friendship and partnership among APEC economies, encouraging digital transformation, stimulating the start-up ecosystem in the APEC toward a shared digital future for all APEC member economies.
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For further details, or to arrange possible media interviews, please contact:
Dr. Kwo-Liang Chen
Chief Secretary, Small and Medium Enterprise Administration, MOEA
+886-2-2366-2205
glchen@moea.gov.tw
Ms. Hsin-Yi Tseng
Section Chief, Policy Planning Division, Small and Medium Enterprise Administration, MOEA
+886-2-2366-2251
thy@moea.gov.tw
