Theme

The Challenges Facing the SMEs in the Global Economy

The Global Summit of SME Leaders, co-organized by Global Alliance of SMEs (GASME), United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), and Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, was held at the Imperial Springs International Convention Center in Guangzhou on November 17th, 2013.

National leaders, senior officials of international organizations, international business leaders, experts and scholars, as well as 300 executives of SMEs gathered to address the development issues facing SMEs and explored various solutions.

The attendees of mention from overseas include: Mr. Bill Clinton, Founder of the Clinton Foundation and the 42nd President of the United States of America, Mr. John William Ashe, President of the United Nations General Assembly, Mr. Jean-Pierre Raffarin, Former Prime Minister of France，Mr. Carlos Magariños, Global Chairman of GASME and Former UNIDO Director-General, Mr. Raul Diez Canseco Terry, Senior Vice Chairman of GASME and Former Vice President of Peru, Mr. Mohamed Lamine Dhaoui, Director of the Business, Investment and Technology Services Branch-UNIDO, Mrs. Patricia Espinosa, Senior Vice Chairman of GASME and Former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Mexico, Mr. Ronald Bew, Senior Vice Chairman of GASME and Former Associate Deputy Administrator of U.S. Small Business Administration, Mr. William Spitler, Chairman of Board of Trustees of GASME and Former Director of New York Center of U.S. Department of Commerce, Dr. George Wang, Executive Chairman of GASME, Mr. Jing-Sheng Lue, Asia Representative of German Association of Cities and so on.

From China side, Ms. Li Xiaolin，President of the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, Mr. Zhu Xiaodan, Governor of Guangdong Province, Mr. Chen Jianhua, Mayor of Guangzhou City, Dr. Chau Chak Wing, Executive Vice President of China Federation of Overseas Chinese Entrepreneurs, Mr. He Weiwen, Vice Chairman of GASME and Former Economic and Commercial Counselor at Chinese Consulate General in New York, Mr. Zheng Yonggang, Chairman of Shanghai Entrepreneurs Association, Mr. Zhou Dewen, Vice Chairman of China Association of Small and Medium Enterprises, among others, also attended the event.

President Clinton spoke on various issues facing the Chinese and the world economy, highlighting the role and contributions made by SMEs in the global economic growth. He pointed out that, if looking back the history, it may take about 10 years to get the economy recovered from a financial crisis like the most recent one, as it will take time to restore the lost market confidence and rebalance the economy. President Clinton also said China’s high savings rate makes it possible for the country to investment significant amount of money in infrastructure construction and development. He anticipates that clean energy and medicine production would be key areas where SMEs will find their growth opportunities. In the United States, SMEs undertake the research and development for the majority of clean energies. China has abundant natural resources such as natural gas, so energy development is a field that SMEs have a high growth potential. After President Clinton’s speech, Dr. George Wang, Executive Chairman of GASME, moderated a Q&A session with President Clinton on some hot issues of the current world economy.

President of the United Nations General Assembly, John William Ashe, said in his speech that the SMEs in Guangdong Province have strong and vigorous growth potential, and are making great contributions to the economic development of China and the world at large. He said, “Through the collaboration of the government and the private enterprises, the world economy had found a better way out of the financial crisis”. He emphasized that in spite of the traditional mindset of minding everyone’s own business, the future development is crying for more team work of all social sectors, amongst national governments, international organizations, SMEs and the general public.

Mr. Jean-Pierre Raffarin, Former Prime Minister of France, spoke on the globalization of SMEs. He noted that the 2008 global financial crisis successfully curbed with the efforts of all nations, has prevented the world from entering an era like the Great Depression in 1930s. At present, the SMEs all around the world have to face the challenges of globalization, and win the new opportunities. He also hoped that the SMEs of China and France could deepen the cooperation in real sense and facilitate the matchmaking for 500 Chinese enterprises and 500 French enterprises.

Mr. Li XiaoLin，President of the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, commented that the Third Plenary Session of the 18th CPC Central Committee, which was recently held, had closed with many achievements, bringing new development opportunities for SMEs. As the SMEs continue to play a driving force in promoting world economic development and are the source of scientific and technological innovation, the “Global Summit of SME Leaders” served as an excellent exchange platform for SMEs worldwide in industrial advancement and international cooperation.

Mr. Zhu Xiaodan, Governor of Guangdong Province, said that SMEs are the most dynamic and most creative ones, and have great potential in the national economy. It is a fundamental economic policy for many countries to develop SMEs, as well as the key fields of international economic and trade cooperation. Guangdong Province, which has been at the forefront of reform and opening up, is one of the provinces with the most developed private sectors. SMEs are facing a window period for development and Guangdong government will always try to build favorable environment for SMEs. He hoped to take the opportunity of this summit to enhance the exchanges and cooperation for SMEs in Guangdong Province and other countries in the world, further strengthening the cooperation in renewable energy, energy conservation and environment protection, creative design, commodity circulation and service outsourcing, and creating new growth spots.

Mr. Carlos Magariños, Global Chairman of GASME and Former UNIDO Director-General, pointed out the importance of the alliance of global SMEs for the economic development under globalization. Many emerging economies play a crucial role in the worldwide economic recovery. He also said, since 2003, only few emerging economies have produced an annual GDP growth under 5%. The emerging economies, headed by China, including Brazil, India and Russia, will surpass the developed countries in the industrial development. As a result, countries with a new global middle class will play a key role in the world. Mr. Magariños pointed out that economists predict the world will see a tremendous growth in global middle class by 2020. In addition, while 50% of the middle class was in developed countries in 2010, 54% of the middle class will be in Asia by 2020.

At the International Business Leaders Roundtable held on November 17th, the “China’s Top 10 Internationally Influential Entrepreneurs” was published. The selected entrepreneurs include Mr. Zhang Ruimin, Chairman of the Board and CEO of Haier Group; Mr. Liang Wengen, President of Sany Group; Mr. Li Dongsheng, Chairman and President of TCL Corporation; Mr. Tang Qiao, President of Wuliangye Group; Mr. Wan Long, Chairman of Shuanghui Group; Mr. Jin Xiangzuo, President of World Packaging Center and Chairman of Global Packaging Center Group; Mr. Zheng Yonggang, Chairman of the Board and President of Shanshan Group; Mr. Jiang Xipei, Chairman of the Board of Far Eastern Group; Mr. Gao Dekang, President of Bosideng International Holdings Limited and Mr. Zhou Haijiang, Chairman of HODO Group.

Hosts

VIPs Invited

Agenda

09:00-10:00	International Business Leaders Roundtable Awards Ceremony of “China’s Top 10 Internationally Influential Entrepreneurs”
13:00-14:00	Registration and Security Check
14:00-14:20	World Leaders Meet with Business Leaders
14:25-15:10	Session One: Remarks by President Bill Clinton Speaker: President Bill Clinton, the 42nd President of the United States of America Introducer: Mr. Carlos Magariños, Global Chairman of GASME Moderator: Dr. George Wang, Executive Chairman of GASME
15:10-15:40	Session Two: Welcome Speeches Speakers: Mr. Carlos Magariños, Global Chairman of GASME and Former UNIDO Director-General Ms. Li Xiaolin, President of the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries Mr. Zhu Xiaodan, Governor of Guangdong Province Dr. Chau Chak Wing, Executive Vice President of China Federation of Overseas Chinese Entrepreneurs/Chairman of Kingold Group
15:40-16:20	Session Three: Speeches by World Leaders SMEs going Global: Challenges and Opportunities and the supply of Global Public Goods Speakers: Mr. John William Ashe, President of the United Nations General Assembly Mr. Jean-Pierre Raffarin, Vice President of the French Senate/Former Prime Minister of France Mr. Raul Diez Canseco Terry, Former Vice President of Peru Topics (including but not limited to): • The Future of Chinese and the World Economy • The Third Green Industrial Revolution-The Prospect of Chinese and the World Economy • The SMEs are playing a crucial driving force in the global economic cooperation • More support should be provided to the SMEs by governments and international organizations
16:20-16:40	Session Four: Speeches by International Organization Leaders International Financial Stability and Global Free and Fair Trade Regimes: Driving tools for the Globalization of the SMEs. Speakers : Mr. Mohamed Lamine Dhaoui, Director of UNIDO Business, Investment and Technology Department, on behalf of Mr. Li Yong, Director General of UNIDO Dr. George Wang, Executive chairman of GASME Topics (including but not limited to): • Globalization and trade protectionism in the financial crisis • Improvement of competitiveness of the SMEs in global
16:40-17:10	Session Five: Speeches by Ministers Dissemination of Knowledge and Environmental Framework: transforming global business for a better future Speakers: Ms. Patricia Espinosa, Former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Mexico Mr. Ronald Bew, Former Associate Deputy Administrator of U.S. Small Business Administration Mr. Jin-Sheng Lue, Asia Representative, German Association of Cities (The Reprensentative of Mr. Carl Dieter Spranger, Former Minister of German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development) Topics (including but not limited to): • Industry upgrading and economic transformation • Regional development and the global economy • Creating green and sustainable jobs • Creating more opportunities for the SMEs on international cooperation
17:10-17:30	Session Six: Speeches by Business Leaders The experience of Business Leaders Speakers: Mr. Marc Allen, President of Boeing China (TBC) Mr. Zheng Yonggang, President of Shanshan Group Topics (including but not limited to): • Growth and choice of the SMEs under the globalization • How to support the development of the SMEs by large enterprises
18:00-20:00	Banquet/Show Remarks by Mr. Chen Jianhua, Mayor of Guangzhou City Social Networking

Speeches

The Summit

President Clinton met with the Chinese Entrepeneurs

Banquet

Visiting Congdu

Visiting a Chinese company

Co-organizer/ Supporting Organizations

Co-organizer : Kingold Group Boliqianxi (Tianjin) Investment Management Co., Ltd GASME (Shanghai) Event Management Co., Ltd

Supporting Organizations: Imperial Springs International Convention Center Shanghai Entrepreneurs Association SME Research Center at Beijing University HSBC School of Business

 

Press Coverage

1、http://v.youku.com/v_show/id_XNjM2MzU5NzM2.html

2、http://v.ifeng.com/news/finance/201311/0139defa-74f0-4930-aac6-c43750afb00d.shtml

3、http://www.wasu.cn/Play/show/id/1829506

4、http://video.sina.com.cn/p/news/v/2013-11-17/195163155777.html

5、http://www.unido.org/news/press/unido-china-1.html

6、http://big5.xinhuanet.com/gate/big5/www.gd.xinhuanet.com/newscenter/2013-11/18/c_118180480.htm

7、http://v.youku.com/v_show/id_XNjM2MzU5NzM2.html

8、http://gd.people.com.cn/n/2013/1118/c162706-19939219.html

9、http://news.163.com/13/1118/13/9DVDUVE400014JB5.html

10、http://www.chinanews.com/gn/2013/11-18/5512352.shtml

11、http://news.china.com.cn/live/2013-11/18/content_23450018.htm

12、http://news.sina.com.cn/w/2013-11-19/072028747697.shtml

13、http://news.sina.com.cn/c/2013-11-18/150028741577.shtml

14、http://v.qq.com/boke/page/j/q/j/j0121ey9tqj.html

15、http://finance.ifeng.com/a/20131118/11101896_0.shtml

16、http://news.21cn.com/caiji/roll1/a/2013/1118/11/25064254.shtml

17、http://gb.cri.cn/42071/2013/11/18/6071s4325932.htm

18、http://gzdaily.dayoo.com/html/2013-11/18/content_2455174.htm

19、http://wen.oeeee.com/a/20131118/1081830.html

20、http://he.ce.cn/gd/201311/18/t20131118_1201558.shtml

21、http://news.xinmin.cn/world/2013/11/18/22677598.html

22、http://news.hexun.com/2013-11-18/159773763.html

23、http://www.gd.chinanews.com/2013/2013-11-18/2/284337.shtml

24、http://ndfinance.oeeee.com/html/201311/18/502724.html

25、http://www.cpaffc.org.cn/content/details21-23586.html

26、http://news.cnwest.com/content/2013-11/18/content_10342466.htm

27、http://news.jschina.com.cn/system/2013/11/18/019315989.shtml