Conference Program

The 34 th International Small Business Congress

“Synergizing International Entrepreneurial Opportunities for SMEs”

11 – 14 November 2007

Queen Sirikit National Convention Center (QSNCC), Bangkok , Thailand

Sunday 11 November 2007

09.00 – 19.00 Registration (Main Foyer)

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19.00 – 21.00 Welcoming Reception (Retro Live Café, QSNCC)

Welcoming Speech by

Mr. Piyabutr Cholvijarn, Deputy Minister of Industry , Thailand

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EXCURSIONS (Optional)

Monday 12 November 2007

08.00 – 09.00 Registration (Main Foyer)

09.00 – 09.45 Opening of the Congress (Plenary Hall 1-2)

Report to the Congress by

· Mr. Chakramon Phasukavanich, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Industry , Thailand

· Prof. Tsugio IDE, Graduate School of Business, Nihon University , Co-chairman of the 34th ISBC, and Honorary Secretary of the ISBC Steering Committee , Japan

Welcoming Address and Keynote Speech by

Mr. Kosit Panpiemras , Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Industry , Thailand

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09.45 – 10.15 Coffee Break (Main Foyer)

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10.15 – 10.50 Opening of the Congress (Plenary Hall 1-2)

Special Keynote Addresses

· Policy Innovations for SMEs

Mr. Piyabutr Cholvijarn, Deputy Minister of Industry , Thailand

· SME Supporting Policy in the World

Mr. Takao SUZUKI, Chairman, Organization for Small & Medium Enterprises and Regional

Innovation, Japan (SMRJ)

· The Globalization of Korean SMEs

Mr. Ki-Mun, KIM, Chairman , Korea Federation of Small & Medium Businesses, Republic of Korea

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10.50 – 12.30 Plenary Session 1 (Plenary Hall 1-2)

“ Positioning SMEs toward Globalization ”

This session will discuss new opportunities and challenges facing SMEs as well as adjustments SMEs need to make, as the world is increasingly moving towards bilateral and multilateral trade agreements. It will also discuss policy measures and adjustment programs adopted by policy makers to alleviate reverse impacts of FTAs on SME sector.

3 Keynote Speakers – 3 Topics

· Spread of FTAs (Free Trade Agreements) and Response of SMEs

Mr. Do-Sung, Na, Deputy Administrator, Small and Medium Business Administration (SMBA),

Republic of Korea

· FTAs: Evolvement of SMEs Policies and Strategies in India

Dr. Chandra Pal, IAS, Secretary, Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME), India

· Facilitating SME Internationalization: Identifying Required Infrastructure

Mr. Yoichi KATO, President, JETRO Bangkok , Japan

1 Moderator

Mr. Benne van Popta, Deputy Secretary General, MKB Nederland, and Co-chairman of the 34 th ISBC, The Netherlands

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12.30 – 14.00 Lunch (Plenary Hall 3 & Retro Live Café)

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14.00 – 15.30 Plenary Session 2 (Plenary Hall 1-2)

“ Internationalization of Micro-enterprises: Local Links – Global Reach ”

This session surveys various national experiences in developing micro-enterprises by focusing on cases where micro-enterprises manage to develop into growth enterprises or become internationalized. It also address why micro-enterprises need to build up and extend their local and global networks simultaneously.

4 Speakers – 4 Topics

· Micro Financing

Mr. Jun Wang, China Financial Sector Coordinator, the World Bank

· Enhancing the Roles of Indian Micro and Small Enterprises in Global Value Chains: New Initiatives

Dr. Chukka Kondaiah, Principal Director, National Institute of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (NIMSME), India

· Linking Greater Mekong Sub-region (GMS) SMEs to International Markets: The Role of Global Value Chains and their Implications for GMS Co-operation

Prof. George Abonyi ( Canada ), Dept. of Public Administration and Executive Education Program, Maxwell School , Syracuse University , USA

· Showcasing Internationalized Micro-enterprises

Mr. Ekoko Mukete, Chairman , TECHNONET Africa Governing Council, and Vice President ,

Cameroon Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Mines and Crafts , Cameroon

1 Moderator

Prof. Ken O'Neill, Professor of Entrepreneurship and Small Business Development

University of Ulster , Northern Ireland - ISBC Steering Committee

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15.30 – 15.50 Coffee Break (Main Foyer)

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15.50 – 17.30 Parallel Sessions - 1 (Meeting Room 1-4 and Ballroom)

Dynamic Changes of SMEs in Asia

This session will examine the possibilities for SME growth in Asia under the progression of globalization. Issues on Asian SME bottlenecks and SME promotion policies in keeping up with globalization will be discussed. The session consists of comparative studies among Asian countries to investigate the common phenomena.

Franchising and Beyond as New Business Creation Tools

To foster entrepreneurial society, each economy has to increase the ratio of entrepreneur per population. Until now, one of the most important tools for business creation is franchising. This session will evaluate strength and weaknesses of franchising as business creation tool. It will also discuss increasing role of cultural dimensions in international franchising. More importantly, it will attempt to explore whether there are any emerging new business models capable of accelerating new business creation rate.

Commercialization of Research and Development for SMEs

This session will offer a comparative view of how nations implement incentive structure to foster industry-academia partnership together with various difficulties facing innovative SMEs during the start-up and growth period.

Market Cultivation: Roles of Entrepreneurs

To exploit the challenging opportunities in regional and global trades, SMEs need to seek adaptability and create an effective framework to achieve stable business expansion into these highly-competitive target markets. This session examines market cultivation as business competition-relevant factor and underlines the various roles entrepreneurs need to play in implementing market cultivation strategies.

Plenary Hall 1

Meeting Room 1-2

Meeting Room 3-4

Ballroom

“ Dynamic Changes of SMEs in Asia ”

(ERIA Project)

3 Speakers – 3 Topics

· SME Development

in Indonesia

Dr. Tulus Tahi Hamonangan, University of Trisakti , Indonesia

· SME Development in

India

Dr. Keshab Das, Gujarat Institute of Development Research , India

· SME Strategies and Development Challenges in the Philippines

Dr. Rafaelita M. Aldaba, Philippine Institute for Development Studies, The Philippines

1 Moderator

Dr. Hank Lim, Singapore Institute of International

Affairs, Singapore

“ Franchising and Beyond as New Business Creation Tools ”

4 Speakers – 3 Topics

· Franchising: Government's Roles

Mr. Jean-Paul Dorier, Directorate for Trade, Handicraft, Services, and Liberal Professions, France

· Franchising: Global and Regional Trends

Mr. Matthew Shay , President, International Franchise Association, USA

· Firm Strategies for Franchising

Mr. Jose A. Minana, Vice President and Head, Jollibee, The Philippines

· Micro-Franchising

Mr. Pravit Chitnarapong, President and CEO, Black Canyon Co., Ltd., Thailand and

Mr. Sumet Grachangnetara, Consultant and Business Advisor to Black Canyon ( Thailand ) Co., Ltd.,

Thailand

1 Moderator

Mr. Hanns-Eberhard

Schleyer, Zentralverband

des Deutschen

Handwerks (ZDH),

Germany - ISBC

Steering Committee

“ Commercialization of Research and Development for SMEs ”

4 Speakers – 4 Topics

· Comparative Models of Office of Technology Licensing: Forging Academia-Industry Linkages

Mr. James Tomecko , Director, Business and Financial Services Component, German Technical Cooperation (GTZ) , Canada

· Technology Incubation

Mr. Jonathan Kirkpatrick, CEO, Auckland University of Technology (AUT), New Zealand

· Financing R&D

Commercialization: Typologies

Mr. Reuben Jessop , Senior Advisor, German Technical Cooperation (GTZ) , USA

· Industry-Academia Collaboration Involving Small Business Associations

Mr. Ryuji ICHIKAWA, CEO, NFSBA , Japan

1 Moderator

Dr. Rungruang Limchoopatipa, Advisor, OSMEP, Thailand

“ Market Cultivation: Roles of Entrepreneurs ”

4 Speakers – 4 Topics

· Mr. Michele Perini,

President, Fiera Milano S.p.A. , Italy

· Synergizing International Entrepreneurial Opportunities for Agribusiness SMEs

Mr. Anthony M. Zola, President, MIDAS Agronomics Co. Ltd. – Mekong International Development, USA

· Mr. Andrzej Herman, Dean, Collegium of Business Administration, Warsaw School of Economics , Poland

· Mr. Effandi Haji Salleh, Head, Entrepreneurial Development Center , Ministry of Industry and Primary Resources, Brunei Darussalam

1 Moderator

Mr. Roscher Ping-Pin Lin, Chairman, NASME, Chinese Taipei - ISBC Steering Committee

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18.30 Gala Dinner (Grand Hall, The Imperial Queen's Park Hotel)

Keynote Speech by

Mr. Kosit Punpiemrat, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Industry , Thailand (TBC)

Toasting Speech on Behalf of the 34 th ISBC Delegates by

Dr. Mitsuhiro KAGAMI, President, Bangkok Research Center (IDE), Japan

Tuesday 13 November 2007

09.00 – 10.30 Plenary Session 3 (Plenary Hall 1-2)

“ Logistic Innovation for SMEs ”

Logistics plays a central role in improving international competitiveness for SMEs. Efficient logistics can accelerate and reduce cost of supplying, sourcing, planning and delivering of products and goods. Looking at logistics as involving many characteristics of public goods, this session will provide a comparative overview of how countries can effectively plan and manage logistic networks for SMEs. It will also identify various logistic innovations employed in more advanced SMEs and address the obstacles for SMEs in adopting those logistic innovations.

4 Speakers – 4 Topics

· Global Sourcing: Logistic Implications for SMEs

Prof. Jay Mitra, School of Entrepreneurship and Business, University of Essex , UK

· Logistic Innovation in Food Supply Chain

Mr. Johnathan Sutton, Category Technical Manager - Fresh Produce - Thailand & Malaysia ,

Tesco Lotus , UK

· Logistic Requirements for B2B

Dr. Lai, Sun-Quae, Director General, Small and Medium Enterprise Administration, Ministry of Economic Affairs, Chinese Taipei

· Promotion of Enabling Logistics Technologies for SMEs

Dr. Krizz Chantjiraporn, President, Thai Logistics and Production Society , Thailand

1 Moderator

Dr. Kitti Limskul, Director, Economic Modeling & Forecasting Program, Faculty of Economics, Chulalongkorn University , Thailand

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10.30 – 10.50 Coffee Break (Main Foyer)

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10.50 – 12.30 Plenary Session 4 (Plenary Hall 1-2)

“ Service SMEs: Challenges and New Opportunities ”

The global trend toward trade and investment liberalization has increased business opportunities for SMEs in service sectors. This session will identify and locate those new opportunities globally. Measures to address limitations of SMEs and adjustments service SMEs will have to make in order for them to exploit the opportunities opening up for them.

4 Speakers – 4 Topics

· Globalization and the Roles of Service SMEs

Prof. Jay Mitra, School of Entrepreneurship and Business, University of Essex , UK

· Growth and Challenges vis-à-vis Service MSMEs in Indian Economy: Role of State

Dr. G.U.K. Rao, Director, School of Enterprise Development , National Institute of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (NIMSME) , India

· Characteristics of High-growth Service SMEs in Korea

Dr. Youn-Suk Park , Korea Small Business Institute, Republic of Korea

· Forming Alliances to Compete on the World Stage

Mr. Douglas Wright, Chairman, the WorldCom Group, Australia

1 Moderator

Dr. Saisawan Vadhanapanich, Director, Better Business Practices Division, Kenan Institute Asia, Thailand

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12.30 – 14.00 Lunch (Retro Live Café & Lotus Room)

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14.00 – 15.30 Parallel Sessions - 2 (Meeting Room 1-4 and Ballroom)

Roles of Trading Firms in SME Trade: Strengths and Limitations

This session discusses the roles of trading firms in supporting SME trade. A trading firm network can stimulate SME internationalization , as in many cases they optimize SME product variation and brand licensing, and encourage effective inter-company management of human resources. Moreover , trading firms take important roles in selecting standard quality SME products, which help establish SME credibility in the international market.

Searching for Global Outsourcing Opportunities

This session highlights various channels for SME global outsourcing, both in the areas of production and services. Outsourcing professionals from the world's leading outsourcing businesses will share experience on global outsourcing strategies and best practices to facilitate knowledge exchange among relevant professionals and industries.

Young Entrepreneurs

Young entrepreneurs, with their fresh entrepreneurship capacities, are one of the most dynamic business forces. This session gives a ‘peer to peer' opportunity for the audience to connect with energetic, forward-looking, and successful young spirits who will share experience on how they create and manage their business, and disclose their secret on how they have become successful so early.

Meeting Room 1-2

Meeting Room 3-4

Ballroom

“ Roles of Trading Firms in SME Trade: Strengths and Limitations ”

3 Speakers – 3 Topics

· Mr. Shigeru Ueda, President, CEO and COO, Shikoku Kakoki Co., Ltd., Japan

· Mr. Teng Theng Dar, CEO, Intraco , Singapore

· Feasibility Study for the Establishment of the ASEAN Trading Firms Network for SMEs

Ms. Duangporn Hemvijitraphan, Consultant , Thailand Management Association (TMA), and Managing Director, I-MIT Co., Ltd., Thailand

1 Moderator

Mr. Fumihiko Adachi, Kinjo-gakuin University , Japan

“ Searching for Global Outsourcing Opportunities ”

4 Speakers – 4 Topics

· Mr. Sirisak Koshpasharin, Chief Operating Officer, Imagimax Co., Ltd., Thailand

· Searching for Global Outsourcing Opportunities Lessons and Learning from India

Mr. Ravishankar Ananthakrishnan, CoOptions Technologies Limited, India

· Dato' Hafsah Hashim , CEO , Small and Medium Industries Development Corporation (SMIDEC) , Malaysia

1 Moderator

Mr. Vissut Sethaput, Advisor of Human Resource, SMEs Sector Analysis and Early Warning Project, and Knowledge Enhancement and Development Project , OSMEP, Thailand

“ Young Entrepreneurs ”

4 Speakers – 4 Topics

· Young and Successful in Poland

Ms. Anna Czechowicz,

Vice Director, Small Business Chamber , Poland

· Mr. Rakchai Rengsomboon, Managing Director, Lamoon International Co., Ltd., Thailand

· Drivers to Internationalization in a SME Company with Young and Dynamic Management

Mr. Giorgio Secchi, President, Luxlife , Italy

· Business Model Study: Business Plan Development by Utilizing Brand Value

Mr. Son, Seungpyo (Brian Son) , Korean Minjok Leadership Academy , Republic of Korea

1 Moderator

Mr.Kriengkrai Thiennukul, President, Thai Printing Association, Thailand

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15.30 – 15.50 Coffee Break (Main Foyer)

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15.50 – 17.30 Parallel Sessions - 3 (Meeting Room 1-4 and Ballroom)

Managing Market Risks for SMEs

International market risks facing SMEs are mainly associated with aspects of equity, interest rate, currency, and commodity. This session addresses public SME support policies for the management of market risk resulting from both internal and external factors. To deal with their possible consequences , government's plans need to be carefully formulated to ensure a proper continuous risk management process. The general concept on Corporate Social Responsibility and different patterns of risk management will be shared in this session.

Venture Capital for SMEs: Global Trends

This session discusses the global trends on venture capital financing and its developmental implications on the fast-growing SMEs in their different stages of development. It will specifically focus on venture capital instruments, liquidity management , equity investments, and terms of funding . Governments' roles in support of venture capital funding will also be investigated.

Women Entrepreneurs Forum

Women entrepreneurs represent half the economic force; thus, unleashing their full potential and resources is a crucial milestone toward successful economic development. This forum addresses the women role in the global economic dimension, challenges facing their businesses, and gender-based disparities that impede women professional contributions to the economy. Importantly, the forum provides models for the formulation of gender-informed policies , and other implementations to promote more recognition for women entrepreneurs. It is an international ‘female bonding' platform where they can exchange views on entrepreneurial issues affecting their livelihood.

Meeting Room 1-2

Meeting Room 3-4

Ballroom

“ Managing Market Risks for SMEs ”

4 Speakers – 4 Topics

· Ethics of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)

Dr. Darryl Macer, Regional Adviser, Regional Unit for Social and Human Sciences in Asian and the Pacific ( RUSHSAP), UNESCO

· A New Trend in SME Promotion: Using Market Systems to Reach More SMEs

Mr. James Tomecko , Director, Business and Financial Services Component, German Technical Cooperation (GTZ) , Canada

· Managing Market Risks for SMEs

Mr. Snanchart Devahastin, Ambassador of Thailand to Canada , Thailand

· Activating and Trends e-Trade and PAA of SMEs in the East Asian Region

Dr. Ki-Kwan YOON, Chungnam National University , Republic of Korea

1 Moderator

Mr. Hans-Werner Mueller, Secretary General, UEAPME, Germany – ISBC Steering Committee

“ Venture Capital for SMEs: Global Trends ”

4 Speakers – 4 Topics

· Venture Capital for SMEs in the Arab Gulf Cooperation Council States

Dr. Badr-El-Din A. Ibrahim , Economic Expert, Office of Undersecretary, Ministry of

Finance, Sultanate of Oman

· Dr. Ken Loucks, Niagara Enterprise Agency , Canada

· Mr. Kunakorn Makchaidee, President, Thai Venture Capital Association, Thailand

· Venture Capital for SMEs: Taiwan Experience

Mr. Patrick Lin, CEO, Trinity Investment Corporation, Chinese Taipei

1 Moderator

Mr. Chanitr Charnchainarong, President, Market for Alternative Investment (MAI), Thailand

“ Women Entrepreneurs Forum ”

4 Speakers – 4 Topics

· Ms. Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul, Chairperson, Toshiba Thailand Co.,Ltd. - Thai Toshiba Electric Industries Co., Ltd., and Adviser, Thai Women SMEs Association, Thailand

· Women-Owned Small and Medium Enterprises: Analysis of Factors Influencing the Growth Process

Mr. Muhammad A. Roomi , Director, Research Centre for Women's Enterprise , University of Bedfordshire , UK

· Dynamism and enterprise: Female Entrepreneurs in the United Kingdom

Dr. Spinder Dhaliwal, School of Management , University of Surrey , UK

· Women Entrepreneurs and Their Use of e-Business

Dr. Lorna Wright, Assoc. Prof. of International Business, Schulich School of Business, York University, Canada

1 Moderator

Dr. Lorna Wright, Assoc. Prof. of International Business, Schulich School of Business, York University, Canada

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18.30 Banquet (Plenary Hall 2, QSNCC)

Keynote Speech by

Mrs. Jhitraporn Techacharn, Director General, Office of SMEs Promotion, Thailand

Representative, Federation of Thai Industry (FTI), Thailand


Wednesday 14 November 2007

09.00 – 09.20 Special Lecture (Plenary Hall 1)

Mrs. Sylvie Nouyrigat , SME Training programs Manager, ESCP-EAP , France

09.20 – 11.00 Plenary Session 5 (Plenary Hall 1)

“ Summary ”

5 Speakers – 3 Topics

Summary of the 34 th ISBC

· Mr. Fumihiko Adachi, Kinjo-gakuin University , Japan

· Mrs. Jhitraporn Techacharn , Director General, Office of SMEs Promotion, Thailand

Presentation of the 35 th ISBC, Belfast , Northern Ireland

· Prof. Ken O'Neill, Professor of Entrepreneurship and Small Business Development University of Ulster , Northern Ireland - ISBC Steering Committee

· Mr. Graham Davis, Director of Entrepreneurship, Invest Northern Ireland , Northern Ireland

Presentation of the Collaboration between ISBC and ICSB

· Mr. Rob van der Horst, President, International Council for Small Business (ICSB) , The Netherlands

1 Moderator

Prof. Tsugio IDE, Graduate School of Business, Nihon University , Japan , Co-chairman of the 34th ISBC, and Honorary Secretary of the ISBC Steering Committee , Japan

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11.00 – 11.10 Coffee Break (Main Foyer)

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11.10 – 12.00 Plenary Session 6 (Plenary Hall 1)

“ Closing Ceremony ”

2 Speakers

· Prof. Tsugio IDE, Graduate School of Business, Nihon University , Japan , Co-chairman of the 34th ISBC, and Honorary Secretary of the ISBC Steering Committee , Japan

· Dr. Damri Sukhotanang , Chairman of the 34 th ISBC Organizing Committee and Deputy Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Industry, Thailand

1 Moderator

Mr. Paul Wedel , Executive Director, Kenan Institute Asia, USA

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12.30 – 14.00 Farewell Lunch (Retro Live Café & Lotus Room)

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EXCURSIONS (Optional)