IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, and ICICI Bank inaugurated a global conference for Small and Medium Enterprises (SME). This event, the first of its kind in India, is serving as a forum for sharing experiences and lessons learned from around the world.
It will also focus on localization and marketing of the SME Toolkit, a free online resource to help small businesses improve their management practices and to understand the business regulatory environment.
Delegates will be trained to use the new version of the SME Toolkit, which was launched jointly by IFC, ICICI Bank, and IBM in August 2007. They will also gather ideas for developing the Toolkit in participants' countries.
The latest software version, Web 2.0, includes live chat, online forums, and interactive business directories that create a global community where smaller businesses can interact and collaborate. The twenty three global partner organizations in the Toolkit program can share content, enriching information and services for small businesses around the globe.
V. Vaidyanathan, Executive Director, ICICI Bank, said, "SME development is a key pillar to private sector growth in emerging markets. We are glad to meet and share the experiences today that will enable us to improve and enhance the Toolkit, thus helping SMEs benefit from it in every possible way."
About 23 countries are participating in the conference. Laurence Carter, IFC Director of Small and Medium Enterprises, said, "We are delighted to see so many participants from around the world using a common platform to offer tailored support to small and medium businesses from Africa to Asia to Latin America. Developing and supporting global partnership networks to benefit small business development is part of IFC's core strategic goals."
International Finance Corporation
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