The importance of SMEs for ITU

1. The importance of SMEs for ITU • SMEs make up more than 90 per cent of all businesses worldwide • SMEs play a crucial role in spurring global economic growth and can ensure greater inclusivity in global ICT/telecommunication development • SMEs are often at the forefront of innovative ICT-enabled solutions and have a unique potential to make a long-lasting impact in regional and national economies

2. SME engagement in ITU’s activities

3. 1: SME engagement in standardization: • How SMEs benefit from ITU membership • Participation in real time Telecommunication/ICT development which advances the quality of their products and technical knowledge • Access to a vast global network of governments, international organizations, key industry players and academia • Increased brand and product visibility while gaining exposure to new markets • Meetings offer a conducive environment for developing domestic and international business partnerships • Competitive intelligence on other industry members

4. 1: SME engagement in standardization: Next steps to increase SME engagement in ITU • Reduced membership fees: under consideration by ITU Council - trial reduced Associate fee for SMEs participating in ITU-T and ITU-R (possible pilot project in ITU-T SG 20 on IoT and smart cities) • Enhanced remote participation: ITU is working to significantly develop remote participation facilities and online collaboration tools • Survey to ITU SME members to better identify challenges and areas for improvement within ITU

5. SME engagement in ITU’s activities

6. 2. Networking:ITU TELECOM World – New accent on SMEs • ITU Telecom World 14-17 November 2016, Bangkok • Focus on the role of SMEs in the digital ecosystem

7. SME engagement in ITU’s activities

8. 3. Government support & awareness raising: Innovation Ecosystem Assessment • In developing countries governments and public sector agencies play a key role in supporting SMEs • By request of ITU Membership, ITU-D has developed a methodology to convene expert discussions at country level to identify actions needed to enhance the innovation ecosystem • First pilot implementation in Albania. Pilot to be extended to 3 additional countries in 2016 • More info http://innovation.itu.int/

9. 3. Government support & awareness raising: EMERGE initiative • Network of stakeholders to support entrepreneurial ecosystems in cooperation with government policy-makers and regulators • Focus Areas: • Exchange of experience between partner organizations • Mapping of resources available to support ICT innovation ecosystems in emerging economies, with focus on empowering SMEs in the ICT sector. • Elaboration of reports with recommendations for decision makers • Current members include UN agencies (ITU, ILO, ITC, UNICEF), regional organizations • (European Union), as well as associations of SMEs and startups (WITSA, Seedstars, etc). • More info http://www.emergepartnership.org/

10. 3. Government support & awareness raising: World Telecommunication and Information Society Day (WTISD 2016) On 17 May 2016, WTISD 2016:“ICT entrepreneurship for social impact” will consider the potential of SMEs as drivers of innovative solutions in achieving SDGs, with a focus on SMEs from developing countries Global event to include: • High level celebration on 17 May in ITU Headquarters in Geneva • Global call to action issued by ITU Secretary-General • Series of national celebrations organized by ITU 193 Member States across the globe

11. Questions?