SMEs, ICT and Co-operation ( or how to survive Co-operation)

1. SMEs, ICT and Co-operation(or how to survive Co-operation) Francisco Troncoso Chair, APEC SME Working Group 2004 ftroncoso@economia.cl franciscojaviertroncoso@yahoo.com

2. When is it right to think about co-operation? You need to know when IT´S RIGHT and when it isn’t to think about co-operation. • Co-operation is not for urgent needs • Usually, co-operation is not for equipment and investment • Co-operation doesn´t and must not, replace local efforts and teams.

3. What is co-operation about? If you´re looking for free lunch, you´re wrong • Co-operation is about marketing, (political and commercial) • Co-operation is about well-being and security sharing • Co-operation is about influence • Co-operation is about ethics

4. What do you need for co-operation? • As co-operation will not replaceyour team, then you need one • as cooperation will not set your policy goals, you have to define them yourself • as benefits of cooperation are intended to last, you need institutions • as cooperation is thought to help fulfilling your main mission, put it in line, not in parallel

5. Where to turn for co-operation? Believe it or not, you can be a customer! • if you have clear cut goals • if you are able to implement (able, not willing) • if you are able to provide a counterpart in resources

6. Be a customer Be a customer, co-operative and demanding • for small, fast projects, turn to bilateral • for emphasis in world class, wide ranging consulting, think in Japan and EU • co-operation is usually at its best in studies, consulting and training • for proper participation of local rules and bodies, think in multilateral institutions

7. Take part in networks • Take part in networks. They are like clubs, expensive but rewarding • APEC, OECD, ASEAN, Summit of the Americas • IDB, ADB, WB, and sub regional banks • consult leading organizations, at home and abroad • maintain your own networks, answer mails and useful info • be handy

8. Some examples Institute for Connectivity in the Americas • a Canadian Initiative enclosed in the Summit of the Americas 2001 • supports initiatives trying to overcome old problems using ICT • promotes inclusion, local and regional development and connectivity • Can $ 20 MM; managed IDRC; all America board • ica@ICAmericas.net www.ICAmericas.net

9. CATIC JICA - Chile Valparaíso • CATIC stands for Centro Avanzado de Tecnologías de Información y de Comunicación, based in Valparaíso • An Agreement among Universities, regional and central government, business and JICA • will train Latin American personnel in ICT • beginning full operation in 2005, training in 2006 • Chilean budget over US$ 4 MM

10. APEC SMEs Informatization Survey and Forum APEC project supported by APEC funds • introduced by SMBA, implemented by KIMI (Korea Information and Management Institute for SMEs) • Survey and policy dialogue in Forum in Korea • Officials underwent training and knew about best practices. Their accomplishments will be exposed to Ministers.

11. Many projects, funds and actors • Look for international development banks, multilateral institutions, bilateral aid, development agencies, embassies, ONG, … There are many cooperation sources. • Pay attention, study sources previous experiences.

12. I´ll be glad to share experiences. FRANCISCO TRONCOSO ftroncoso@economia.cl franciscojaviertroncoso@yahoo.com