SMEs: A Future for Sustainable Development in the Arab World

The Arab region has been witnessing many political and social transitions in some of its countries which led to various economic challenges that are currently facing these countries. Those challenges highlight the important role that small and medium enterprises (SMEs) can play in supporting and developing economies of the Arab region in facing the impacts of all political, social and economic transitions. The SMEs effectively contribute in supporting the economic growth and achieving sustainable development through its effects on economic and social variables.

Many worldwide countries showed interest in the development of small and medium enterprises, where these projects represent more than 90% of the total number of projects. It also provides between 40 to 80% of the total employment opportunities, and represents a contribution rate exceeding 85% of total GDP in many countries.

The facilitation of financing and allocation of various services and non-conventional tools are considered the main elements for establishing the needed environment for developing SMEs, through financing programs and mechanisms, supporting creativity, innovation, leadership and developing technological advancements and enhancing the role of corporate social responsibility, which in turn aim at supporting economic growth and achieving sustainable growth.

In light of the above, the Union of Arab Banks is organizing this forum to highlight the important role of small and medium enterprises in achieving sustainable development, and will address through its panels of discussion, the requirements needed to maintain a healthy SMEs environment in the Arab region, and the role of the Arab banking sector and regional/international organizations, in addition to presenting non-conventional tools aimed at strengthening SMEs in order to contribute in setting a comprehensive Arab outlook for sustainable growth in the Arab world.

TOPICS OF DISCUSSIONS:

Towards creating an environment suitable for the development of small and medium enterprises in the Arab world
The status of small and medium enterprises in the Arab world
Strategies and policies for supporting small and medium enterprises
Regulatory and financing challenges facing small and medium enterprises
Solutions to create a favorable environment for the development of small and medium enterprises

Strategies of regional and international organizations in supporting small and medium enterprises
Development programs of international organizations to provide financial support to small and medium enterprises
Non-financial services provided by international organizations to small and medium enterprises
The role of regional organizations in supporting and financing small and medium enterprises
The most important regional and international leading practices in the region

Arab banking sector and its role in supporting and financing small and medium enterprises
The contribution of the Arab banking sector in financing small and medium enterprises
The impact of social responsibility in supporting small and medium enterprises
The development of banking products for small and medium enterprises
The role of Islamic finance in supporting small and medium enterprises
Risk guarantee Institutions and facilitating access to finance

The unconventional tools that contribute in developing small and medium enterprises
Creativity and innovation, and the support of the efforts of Entrepreneurship
Business incubators and their role in supporting small and medium enterprises
Forecasting models and their role in facilitating access to finance
The role of information technology in the development of small and medium enterprises

Micro-enterprises and their role in socio-economic development
The role of micro enterprises in the social and economic development
Micro financing mechanisms and projects through banks and financial institutions
Arab women’s Empowerment and their role in social and economic development

Towards a comprehensive Arab vision to maintain sustainable development in the Arab World
A panel of discussion involving a group of Arab speakers in order to develop a comprehensive Arab vision to support small and medium enterprises and the achievement of sustainable development.
The Union of Arab Banks will adopt this vision and oversee follow-up plans and programs for implementation in the Arab countries in order to achieve comprehensivedevelopment in the future

STRUCTURE OF THE FORUM

Working papers and panel discussions, presented and moderated by senior bankers and businessmen related to smes.
An exhibition for sponsoring institutions, whereby the participating institutions and companies would be able to establish and develop business ties.
Forums registration: 8:00 – 9:00 a.m. on Thursday March 27, 2014
Forums language: Arabic & English

TARGETED PARTICIPANTS

Chairmen and General Managers of Arab and Foreign Banks.
Institutions involved in the field of small and medium enterprises.
Chairmen and General Managers of financial institutions in the field of small and medium enterprises.
Executives of civil society organizations in the field of small and medium enterprises.
Directors in the field of SMEs Development.
Representatives of the private sector working in the field of small and medium enterprises.
Arab Chambers of Commerce and Industry and Arab representatives from investment agencies.
Investors and entrepreneurs interested in building economic relations and expand their business network.
Institutions and international bodies working in the field of small and medium enterprises.
International and regional development Funds and Banks.