Although SMEs are a major source of growth and job creation, SMEs appear to be under-represented in the international economy relative to their contribution in national and local economies. Two original OECD-APEC surveys investigated how SME policy makers and SMEs perceive the barriers to SME access to international markets. This proceedings presents a report on the results of the surveys, a synthesis of the conference discussions, and the main outcome of the conference: the Athens Action Plan for Removing Barriers to SME Access to International Markets.
Table of contents:
Executive Summary PART I Chapter 1. Background Report Chapter 2. The Role of Trade Barriers in SME Internationalisation PART II. ABRIDGED PROCEEDINGS OF THE OECD-APEC GLOBAL CONFERENCE ON REMOVING BARRIERS TO SME ACCESS TO INTERNATIONAL MARKETS Chapter 3. Synopsis of Selected Speeches, Presentations, and Conclusions on Internal and External Barriers -Official Opening: Key Remarks from Speeches -Synthesis: Plenary Keynote Session -Synthesis: Workshop A: Internal Barriers to Internationalisation -Synthesis: Workshop B: External Barriers to Internationalisation -Closing Speeches from the Greek Authorities and the OECD -Annex. Supporting Material ANNEXES -Definition of SMEs -List of Government Support Programmes -Member Economy Policymaker Survey -Survey of SME Perceptions of Barriers to their Internationalisation -Classification of Barriers -Methodological Considerations -Responses to the Member Economy Policymaker Survey -Barriers as Perceived by Member Economies -Responses to SME Survey by OECD/APEC Economies -Cpmplete Results from Likert-Scale Ranking -Completer Results from Top Ten Ranking -Differences in Perceived Barriers by Subgroups -Comments of SMEs on Usefulness of Government Support -ANOVA Analysis of Barrier Assessment by Export Status -Match of Perceived Barriers -Trade Barrier Issues Reported in Previous Business Surveys -Confernece Programme -The Athens Action Plan for Removing Barriers to SME Access to International Markets -Proposal for a BIAC-OECD Initiative to Facilitate SME Access to International Markets
