World Association for Small and Medium Enterprises (WASME) organised 23rd International Conference for SMEs (ICSME) on “Achieving inclusive and sustainable goal through SME 4.0 by promoting SMEs” on December 17 2019 at WASME International Secretariat, Film City, Noida, India, says a press release.
The event was supported by the Ministry of MSME, government of India.
23rd ICSME aimed to promote SME development initiatives and integrating it with the 2030 agenda of achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) set by the United Nations. The conference endeavoured to catalyse international cooperation for initiating focused efforts to increase the access of education, entrepreneurship and innovation integration of SMEs into global value chain and thus empower them to contribute effectively to the country’s socio-economic development.
The chief guest of the conference was AN Oozeer, senior chief executive, Ministry of Business and Enterprise of Mauritius government in inaugural session and Shri Ashwini Kumar Choubey, minister of state for Health and Family Welfare, government of India in WASME Excellence Award session. Among dignitaries were Kheswar Jankee, Ambassador of Mauritius to Germany, Dr Nagesh Kumar, director, United Nations ESCAP, Sudhir Garg, joint secretary, Ministry of MSME, government of India and Pranbihanga Borpuzari, associate editor, Economic Times.
Dr Gyan Prakash Agarwal, secretary general of WASME, gave the welcome address and discussed about the WASME’s contribution in strengthening SMEs across globe. Keynote address was done by Mr Shailendra Kumar, senior advisor, WASME. Vote of thanks was given by Ms Sampa Banerjee, Executive Director, WASME.
As the Vice President (chief in Bangladesh) of World Association of SMEs (WASME), ZM Zillur Rahman presented the SMEs status in Bangladesh and highlighted how the SMEs can contribute more in different countries. SMEs are the backbone of a country and for the economic growth and sustainable development of a country depends on SMEs development, he mentioned.
Panelists provided rich content to the participants, followed by question answer session. About more than 250 participants attended the conference and WASME Excellence Awards 2019. They got good experience and enjoyed a lot and provided an excellent feedback.
WASME has been taking this legacy forward and has successfully organised 22 WASME Excellence Awards in different countries including Yugoslavia, Ethiopia, Egypt, Nigeria, Russia, South Africa, Romania, etc. WASME Excellence Awards was not just an International award, but also a catalyst tool that provides a global platform for the world SME community to engage, exchange and experience the latest advancement best practices, and have global consultations to shape the development agenda for SMEs across the globe.