Chinese Taipei and the Philippines Promote Digital Transformation for MSMEs in Cebu

On 23-24 October, over 150 participants representing more than 50 organizations from more than 12 APEC economies gathered in Cebu, the Philippines, for the "APEC Policy Dialogue on MSME Marketplace & O2O Forum" along with the "APEC SME Digital Resilience Training Workshop", successfully co-hosted by the Small and Medium Enterprise Administration (SMEA), the Ministry of Economic Affair (MOEA) of Chinese Taipei and the Bureau of Small and Medium Enterprise Development (BSMED), the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) of the Philippines. The participants came from various background, – NGOs, public authorities, industry, policy makers, representatives of APEC economies, start-up and key stakeholders to share experiences and insights on utilizing digital technology to accelerate business growth and strengthening the cooperation among SMEs in APEC.

Unleash the Potential of APEC SMEs through Digital Transformation
　　The APEC Policy Dialogue on MSME Marketplace & O2O Forum began with opening remarks delivered by Dr. Kwo-Liang Chen, Secretary General, SMEA, MOEA and Mr. Jerry Clavesillas, Director, BSMED, the Philippines. "In order to realize the full potentials of SMEs to create new dynamism for a shared future, it is imperative to help them have a holistic grasp of the opportunities and challenges generated by a digital transformation" said Dr. Chen.

　　"Apart from strengthening the friendship and partnership among APEC economies, the implementation of these events is to encourage digital transformation, stimulate the start-up ecosystem in APEC, prepare SMEs to fight against cyber threats, and create a shared digital future for all APEC member economies" continued Dr. Chen, stressing the focus and goals to the implementation of APEC O2O initiative.

　　The rest of the forum was organized in 3 sessions, featuring 2 panel sessions titled Future Innovation, and Funding the Future, followed by a demo session where 11 startups from many APEC economies such as Chile, Russia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, and Indonesia are provided with opportunities of networking and showcasing their innovative ideas and business models.

Fortifying SME Security Defense
　　Digital market is expected to grow 11% over next five years to 2020, indicated by a research of APEC PSU. However, the lack of awareness and capability of digital security make SMEs the "sweet-spot" for cyber attackers and cause the global supply chains disruptions. According to statistics presented by McKinsey Global Institute, the ultimate impact could be as much as $3 trillion in lost productivity and growth by 2020.

　　Therefore, in 2018, 5 APEC SME Digital Resilience Training Workshop are hosted in Malaysia, Thailand, Chinese Taipei, Viet Nam and the Philippines to build capacity on digital resilience for APEC SMEs to thrive in digital age. On 24 October, APEC SME Digital Resilience Training Workshop is co-hosted by Chinese Taipei and the Philippines. This workshop will begin with a keynote speech delivered by Mr. Sergey Belov, Head of Application Security Team, Mail.Ru Group, followed by a panel session featuring experts in the field of cyber security from the Philippines and Chinese Taipei.

　　The group training held in the afternoon is designed to simulate real cyber-attacks and create realistic experiences where participants can build up their abilities to make prompt decisions and gain better understanding of procedures to safeguard their companies by role playing. With interactive and sharing activities, seed trainers are empowered to facilitate cross-border cooperation, build stronger partnerships, and raise digital resilience and cyber security awareness.

APEC O2O Initiative and the Future Innovation Ecosystem
　　In 2019, Chinese Taipei will launch 2 APEC funded projects, the "APEC O2O Initiative –Empower SME to Embrace Digital Transformation" and APEC Local Innovation Ecosystems Initiative: Revitalization for Inclusive Growth and Sustainable Future.

　　In cooperation with Malaysia, Thailand, the Philippines, and Chile, Chinese Taipei will implement the 4th and final phase of "APEC O2O Initiative –Empower SME to Embrace Digital Transformation" with aims to promote digital inclusiveness of SMEs and start-ups in APEC region. 
Also, to boost development in rural area in many APEC economies 3 APEC Local Innovation Ecosystems Fora and 2 APEC Local Innovation Ecosystems Summit will be implemented within APEC Local Innovation Ecosystems Initiative: Revitalization for Inclusive Growth and Sustainable Future, which is proposed by Chinese Taipei in collaboration with Russia, Thailand and the Philippines.

　　Chinese Taipei will continue 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 startup ecosystem in the APEC, and creating an inclusive digital future for all APEC member economies.

For further details, or to arrange possible media interviews, please contact:

Dr. Kwo-Liang Chen
Secretary General, Small and Medium Enterprise Administration, MOEA
02-2366-2205
glchen@moea.gov.tw

Ms. Hsin-Yi Tseng
Section Chief, Policy Planning Division, Small and Medium Enterprise Administration, MOEA
02-2366-2251
thy@moea.gov.tw