APEC SMEs New Paradigm - Revitalize Sustainable Business Through Digital Resilience

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1. Introduction

COVID-19 pandemic caused huge impacts on business operations globally on an unprecedented scale, and the SMEs in Asia Pacific region are severely impacted. To mitigate the aforementioned effects of SMEs in the new normal, digitalization of business models such as zero-contact, remote management, and digital healthcare are spreading, and are of vital importance for SMEs to catch up with these trends. With the shifting paradigm of business continuity and competitiveness improvement, it is crucial for APEC economies to pave the way for inclusive recovery through public-private partnership in order to assist resource-scarce SMEs in digital transformation, digital competitiveness enhancement, and more effective participation in the digital economy.

This project, which focuses on digital capacity building, innovation, and inclusive participation endorsed by APEC Putrajaya Vision 2040, 2020 AELM, and SME Ministerial Meetings in recent years, aims to disseminate the best practices of SME  resilience preservation and digital technology utilization for the purpose of health care, and develop a business continuity plan with digital elements.

One forum will be held by this project and “APEC Guidebook on SME Business Continuity Planning in the New Normal” will be published as the reference for start-ups, SMEs, public sectors, women entrepreneurs and stakeholders in Asia Pacific.

2. Objectives 

1) Promote the digital optimization of internal collaboration and external connections of SMEs in response to the new normal

2) Enhance SMEs’ competitiveness to rapidly respond to changes in the business environment and continue their business

3. Main Activities Proposed

1)  APEC SME’s New Paradigm Forum: Revitalize Sustainable Business through Digital Resilience

2) APEC feature report on SME Business Continuity Planning in the New Normal: Building Digital Resilience